France’s Deschamps to miss Norway match after mother’s death

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday, clinching a World Cup knockout-round spot for the first time in 28 years.caribbeannationalweekly
The win sets up a Friday clash with France to decide Group I, pitting Haaland against Kylian Mbappé in what ESPN called the tournament’s biggest star matchup so far.espn
France confirmed Tuesday that manager Didier Deschamps will miss the match after his mother’s death, with assistant Guy Stéphan taking charge, according to Yahoo Sports.yahoo

Norway Reaches World Cup Knockout Stage for First Time Since 1998

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, securing their place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result marks Norway’s first appearance in the knockout stage of a World Cup in 28 years, since they reached the Round of 16 at France ’98.nytimes

Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring before Haaland added a brace, while Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr netted twice to create a tense finish. Haaland now has four goals in two matches, level with France’s Kylian Mbappé and one behind tournament-leading scorer Lionel Messi.espn

Haaland Tempers Expectations

Despite Norway’s 12 consecutive competitive victories, their star striker urged restraint after the match. “To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage, I would say, yes. To win the World Cup, absolutely not,” Haaland told reporters, according to Reuters and AFP.ahram

The Manchester City forward, whose international record now stands at 59 goals in 52 appearances, added: “I’m part of something special, making history, and I’m extremely proud to be Norwegian.”ahram

France Awaits Without Deschamps

Norway will face France on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to determine the winners of Group I, with both teams already through to the knockout rounds on six points. The match will pit Haaland directly against Mbappé in what ESPN described as “the biggest meeting of superstars this World Cup has seen so far.”legit

France, however, will be without manager Didier Deschamps, who received news of his mother’s passing on Tuesday and will return home for the funeral. Assistant Guy Stéphan will lead the team in his absence, the French Football Federation announced.yahoo

A Long Wait Ended

Norway last reached the World Cup knockout stage in 1998, when Kjetil Rekdal’s 89th-minute penalty secured a famous 2-1 victory over Brazil in the group stage before they fell to Italy in the Round of 16. The current squad, built around Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard, opened this tournament with a commanding win over Iraq before Monday’s result confirmed their advancement.nytimes