FIFA World

Cup 2026

It was supposed to be Mbappe vs. Haaland in a battle of superstars. It was half of that

Kylian Mbappe, left, and Erling Haaland meet after France's 4-1 victory against Norway. Resting Haaland ahead of the round of 32 was "a no-brainer," Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said. Winslow Townson / Imagn Images

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FOXBORO, Mass. — Among the chants that wafted through the stands at Gillette Stadium during Friday’s Norway-France match were “Er-ling Haa-land,” and, in the final minutes, “We want Haa-land!”

On paper, sure, this match was supposed to be France’s Kylian Mbappe vs. Norway’s Erling Haaland in a World Cup showdown of megastars at the temporarily renamed “Boston Stadium.”

For Boston fans who know a thing or two about square-offs between the biggest stars, it was going to be Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain. Pedro Martinez vs. Roger Clemens. Or, given the stage on which this match was being played, Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. (And please don’t even try to point out Brady and Manning never actually played “against” each other. Quarterback matchups are a thing, as are pitching matchups.)

Me? I was too young, just barely, for Russell-Chamberlin. But I covered everything else on that list, and people still ask about them. They always will.

But in one of those strategy-first, entertainment-second moves that was central to Norway’s thinking in what turned out to be a high-priced exhibition match, Haaland was not in the starting lineup because Norway has already qualified for the round of 32. With victories over Iraq and Senegal already in the bank, Norway coach Ståle Solbakken opted to rest nearly all of his starters, including Haaland. France, too, has secured passage to the round of 32, though Mbappe did play.

Solbakken sympathized with fans looking for Mbappe-Haaland. He really did.

But, he said, “This was a no-brainer.”

Looking ahead, he said, “Hopefully, because of that, we can give (fans) some good summer nights in the coming weeks.”

In other words, Solbakken doesn’t run the marketing division at World Cup headquarters. He coaches Norway.

What You Should Read Next Norway head coach defends decision to rotate team, rest Erling Haaland vs. France: ‘It was a no-brainer’ Erling Haaland was rested as Norway ended the group stage with a defeat to France in Boston.

France rolled to a 4-1 victory. And the star of the day turned out to be somebody whose name was not listed on the marquee outside the theater. Ousmane Dembele turned what had been billed as a sort of “Battle of the Network Stars” into a one-man band, stunning Norway, stunning everybody in the house, by scoring three goals in the first half.

And that’s great for France, great for Dembele. Fifty years from now, he’ll be telling his grandkids all about it, and they’ll hang on every word. But it’s OK to celebrate what Dembele accomplished while lamenting what might have been. Haaland, the tall, ponytailed Manchester City striker, combines power and speed with a sure shot. Mbappe, who plays striker for Real Madrid, has scored 16 World Cup goals. He didn’t score any in France’s victory over Norway, but he put his artistry on display in the form of two assists.

“I’m sure with how fast he can sprint, he will find a way to put the ball in the net (in future games),” promised Guy Stephan, who was coaching France while Didier Deschamps was attending his mother’s funeral.

The good news for the 64,146 fans who turned out for this match is they saw the hat trick. But it was the lure of Mbappe-Haaland that was going to make this match one for the scrapbook of the mind.