Fifa World Cup: in-form Mbappe, Haaland to clash as France face Norway in group decider
Real Madrid star and Manchester City striker are joint-second in the race for the Golden Boot with four goals apiece
A mouthwatering duel between in-form goal scorers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as France face Norway in a crucial Group I decider.
Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering form, neck-and-neck on four goals apiece in the race for the Golden Boot, just behind leader Lionel Messi on five.
On Friday, the two forwards will meet in a heavyweight collision at Foxborough, outside Boston, at 3pm local time (Saturday 3am, Hong Kong time), with top spot in the group up for grabs.
France, who looked majestic in swatting aside Senegal and Iraq, hold a slight advantage, with their superior goal difference meaning Les Bleus need only a draw to clinch first place in the group.
But the Norwegians have been equally impressive, routing Iraq 4-1 in their opener before beating Senegal 3-2 on Monday.
Haaland, playing in his first World Cup, has revelled in the global spotlight, playing with a swashbuckling gusto that could well ask hard questions of even France’s experienced defence.