Mbappe and Haaland prepare for crucial match
Mbappe and Haaland prepare for crucial match
France and Norway are set to face each other at Boston Stadium on Friday in a World Cup group stage match. Both nations have secured qualification for the knockout stages after winning their initial two group-stage matches. The upcoming game will determine the top spot in Group I, potentially influencing their path in the tournament bracket.
The match will feature a direct confrontation between two prominent forwards, Kylian Mbappe for France and Erling Haaland for Norway. Both players have made significant contributions to their teams’ successes in the tournament so far, each scoring four goals across their first two appearances.
Impact on national teams
The importance of both Mbappe and Haaland to their national teams is evident from their recent performances. Since August 2022, France has won 69.8% of their matches when Mbappe is part of the squad, a figure that drops to 50% without him. During this period, Les Bleus have also averaged 2.3 goals per game with him, compared to 1.9 goals without him.
Given Norway’s comparatively limited depth, it is no surprise that Haaland is even more crucial to his…
In terms of goal involvement since August 2022, Mbappe has contributed to 44% of France‘s goals with 33 goals and 17 assists. Haaland has been involved in 43.9% of Norway‘s goals, with 39 goals and four assists during the same period.
Player statistics and comparisons
Mbappe, France‘s all-time leading goalscorer, has scored 60 international goals in 100 games. Haaland is close behind with goals in matches for his country, playing fewer games than Mbappe.
At this World Cup, Mbappe has attempted 14 dribbles across the first two matches, while Haaland has attempted just one. However, Haaland has demonstrated a higher chance conversion rate in league matches over the past four club seasons, converting 23.43% of his shots compared to Mbappe‘s 18.24%. This season, Mbappe has narrowed this gap.
Haaland is participating in his first World Cup and has already achieved a notable feat, becoming the sixth player in World Cup history to score multiple goals in each of his first two appearances in the tournament. He is only the second player to do so in the past 50 years, following Harry Kane in 2018.
Mbappe trails Lionel Messi by two goals in the all-time World Cup scoring charts, having scored 16 times in 16 World Cup appearances.
Team preparations and outlook
France‘s preparations for the match have been affected by the temporary departure of manager Didier Deschamps due to a family bereavement. Assistant coach Guy Stephan will lead the team in his absence. Norway, meanwhile, has been in strong form, routing Iraq 4-1 and beating Senegal 3-2.
Despite Norway‘s strong run, Haaland has expressed that he does not consider his team to be contenders for the World Cup title, suggesting that France is likely to win both their upcoming match and the tournament overall. The match is scheduled for 3pm local time in Foxborough, outside Boston.
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Source: bbc.com
