World Cup Group Stage: France and Norway Book Round-of-16 Tickets – Algeria Hopes Alive After Comeback Win Over Jordan

France found life tough against Iraq in a scrappy affair for long stretches, but called on their individual quality: Kylian Mbappé (14th/54th minute) bagged a brace just as he had in the opening win against Senegal, before world footballer of the year Ousmane Dembélé (66th) added the third. With the expected result, Les Bleus also sealed their spot in the knockout phase. Michael Olise provided two of the goals directly.

Storm Break Over Philadelphia

The match, however, had to be suspended for a total of more than two hours. After heavy rain, spectators were asked to leave the stands at the start of half-time. A severe thunderstorm is approaching. Please seek shelter, blared over the stadium's public-address system. Helpers moved in to clear the pitch of the masses of water. In severe weather in the United States, organizers follow the recommendations of the National Weather and Oceanography Service. It advises suspending outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes when a lightning strike is registered within a radius of roughly 13 kilometers. Every further lightning strike resets that 30-minute clock. There was no drinks break in the second half — a first at this tournament.

France head coach Didier Deschamps appeared composed after the match: We had to shelter for a long time, said the 2018 World Cup-winning coach. You could see that we have quality. The third goal could be decisive for the group standings. For the French striker, the clash against Iraq was a special one: Mbappé was making his 100th appearance for his country. With his two goals he took his World Cup tally to 16, as many as former Germany striker Miroslav Klose.

Haaland Fires Norway Into the Round of 16

In the parallel Group I fixture, Norway celebrated a 3:2 (1:0) win over Senegal and likewise advanced to the knockout stage. Thanks to two strikes from Erling Haaland, Norway's national team has also reached the knockout round. Marcus Pedersen had given the Scandinavians the lead in the 43rd minute, Haaland added further goals in the 48th and 58th. Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for the Senegalese in the 53rd minute and in stoppage time (90+3). The Scandinavians saw off Senegal 3:2 (1:0) and celebrated their second win of the tournament. Senegal, meanwhile, face elimination after a second defeat.

Algeria Come From Behind Against Jordan

In Group J, Algeria in the meantime overcame Jordan 2:1 (0:1). Nizar Al-Rashdan had put the World Cup debutants ahead in the 36th minute, but substitute Nadhir Benbouali equalized in the 69th, before Amine Gouiri netted the winner in the 82nd minute. It was the team's first World Cup victory in twelve years. Algeria have thus also kept alive their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

To close out the group stage, the side faces Austria on Sunday. The question there is who will finish second in the group. With three points from two matches, Algeria sit in a promising position in the race. The squad includes two Bundesliga professionals in Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen and Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Dortmund.

Final Group Matchday Carries Far-Reaching Implications

Jordan, meanwhile, cannot climb off bottom place in Group J even with a win against defending champions Argentina, even as World Cup newcomers. The team coached by Vladimir Petkovic is now looking ahead to the decisive showdown on Sunday.

The France match was played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with 68,324 spectators in attendance. With a total market value of €152 million, Les Bleus are the most valuable side at the tournament; the Iraqi team comes in at €21.20 million. The French, featuring Mbappé (Real Madrid, market value €180 million), Olise (FC Bayern Munich, €150 million) and Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, €100 million), meet Norway in their final group-stage match — Norway, who want to take top spot in Group I if coach Ståle Solbakken's side can beat France. In the group-stage finale against France they would have to win to secure first place in Group I. That duel is also about the identity of Germany's potential round-of-16 opponent.

Portugal Eye Second Group Match

Iraq's 40-year-old coach Graham Arnold, who had led Australia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, took the defeat in good humor: I asked whether we could play with three goalkeepers, but they said no. In goal for Iraq was Ahmed Basil of Al-Shorta, who replaced the regular Jalal Hassan of Al-Zawraa SC. Zaid Tahseen, who plays for Pakhtakor, set up the first French goal with a poor clearance.

Portugal, meanwhile, are preparing for their second group match against Uzbekistan, which kicks off at 7:00 p.m. (ARD and Magenta TV) in Houston. After the 1:1 opener against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, coach Roberto Martínez said: I cannot yet give information about the starting eleven, because I have not yet informed my players. We had to question ourselves critically and carry out an honest self-assessment — and we did that. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, is very much in the spotlight.

Mbappé, who had already stood out with a brace in the 4:1 opening win over Senegal, is meanwhile taking big strides towards the top of the all-time World Cup scorers' list. Now on 16 World Cup goals, he has drawn level with Klose — only Messi (18) remains ahead of him.