Norway vs France: Haaland and Mbappe collide as Group Stage finale set up in Boston

France arrive as the form team, riding a three-match winning streak and a tournament that has clicked early. Didier Deschamps' side dismantled Iraq 3-0 and saw off Senegal 3-1, scoring freely and conceding little, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele giving opponents nightmares in transition. Over the last six months they have won five of six, averaging two and a half goals a game, and they carry the swagger of a team that believes it can go all the way.

Norway, though, are no longer the plucky outsiders. Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard have led a side brimming with belief, edging Senegal 3-2 in a thriller and thumping Iraq 4-1 along the way. Back-to-back wins have lifted the mood, and with Alexander Sorloth and the lively Antonio Nusa adding firepower, this is arguably the most dangerous Norwegian attack in a generation.

The storyline writes itself: Haaland against the French backline of Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, and Mbappe testing a Norwegian defence that has shown it can be opened up. Both teams love to play forward quickly, so the midfield battle, where Odegaard duels with Aurelien Tchouameni and N'Golo Kante, could decide whether this becomes the open, goal-heavy contest the form lines suggest.

For Norway, the motivation is obvious. A nation long starved of major-tournament nights has a chance to make a statement against the pre-tournament favourites and stamp its place in the knockout rounds. For France, it is about confirming their authority and keeping the momentum that has made them look so assured.

Expect noise, expect ambition, and expect two coaches reluctant to sit back. With this much attacking talent on the pitch and a group still to be settled, supporters on both sides have every reason to feel the nerves and the excitement.

Sport AI will be following it all with professional football analysis and match previews.