France vs Norway: Haaland on the Bench in Group I Showdown

France roll the dice for their final Group I showdown with Norway, while the Scandinavians spring an even bigger surprise: Erling Haaland starts on the bench.

France shuffle the pack, keep the firepower

Four changes, but no hint of caution from France.

Maxence Lacroix comes into the back line, Theo Hernandez slots in on the left, Aurelien Tchouameni returns to anchor midfield and Desire Doue is handed a start further forward. It’s a refreshed spine, not a weakened one.

Crucially, the front three stays untouched. Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele all start, a clear statement that France are not treating this as a gentle stroll to the knockouts. They need a win to top Group I, and they are setting up to go and take it.

The intrigue lies on the touchline. Assistant coach Guy Stephan leads the team in place of Didier Deschamps, who has returned home following the death of his mother. It changes the figure in the technical area, not the expectations. This is still France, still loaded, still expected to control the night.

Norway’s gamble: Haaland held back

On the other side, Norway have made the boldest call of the evening.

Haaland, their superstar and reference point, starts among the substitutes. For a team that also needs a win to finish top of the group, it is a striking decision. It hints at a plan: keep the game tight, manage the French storm, and unleash their most dangerous weapon when legs tire and spaces open.

Without him from the first whistle, Norway must find another way to threaten a French defence reshaped but hardly vulnerable on paper.

Two teams, one target, and no room for half-measures. France trust their depth. Norway trust their gamble. By full-time, only one approach will look like a masterstroke.