Norway faced France in their final World Cup group match, suffering a 4-1 defeat at Boston Stadium. The Norwegian coach, Stale Solbakken, made the controversial decision to rest star forward Erling Haaland, marking the first time since 2024 that he did not start a match.
In total, Solbakken implemented 10 changes to the lineup, prioritizing player health as Norway had already secured a spot in the knockout stages.
Ousmane Dembele was the standout performer for France, scoring a remarkable hat-trick within the first 25 minutes of the match. Kylian Mbappe also made his mark early, striking the crossbar just a minute into the game.
Despite Haaland's impressive record of four goals in the previous two group matches, he remained on the bench, a decision that drew mixed reactions.
Solbakken explained his rationale, stating, "A no-brainer," when asked about the extensive changes. He noted that several players had shown signs of fatigue after their previous match against Senegal, where they had to exert considerable effort. The coach emphasized that the well-being of the players was the priority, especially considering the demands of tournament football.
Former England striker Ian Wright commented on the situation, suggesting that if Haaland needed rest for the later stages of the tournament, it was a sensible choice. However, he expressed surprise at the number of changes, particularly since Norway had fielded the same starting XI in their earlier victories against Iraq and Senegal.
Norway's decision to rest key players raised questions about the strategy, especially given the physical style of play they are known for. Ex-Scotland winger Pat Nevin pointed out that had Norway fielded their regular lineup, they might have posed a more significant challenge to France, who are considered strong contenders for the World Cup title.
With the loss, Norway will now prepare for a knockout stage match against Ivory Coast, aiming to advance further in the tournament. The decision to rest players will be scrutinized in hindsight, as the team navigates the complexities of tournament play.
Thousands of Norwegian fans traveled to support their team, and despite the defeat, many remained optimistic about Norway's chances in the upcoming rounds.
