The fearsome France is back on the field. world cup In the Round of 32, the coach returned to the sideline after missing one game. So did Norway, heading into North Texas for its first final tournament in 28 years.
Meanwhile, hosts Mexico will hope a raucous home crowd and high-altitude play can help them win in Mexico City.
The elimination rounds will continue on Tuesday, with three games taking place: France vs. Sweden, Ivory Coast vs. Norway, and Mexico vs. Ecuador.
Didier Deschamps returns to France team Traveling to Europe for mother’s funeral. Assistant Guy Stephan He led Les Bleus to a 4-1 victory. Over Norway without Deschamps.
Star striker Erling Haaland scored four goals in Norway’s first two group stage games before missing the loss to France. He will try to lead his country to victory against Ivory Coast.
Mexico have won all three of their Group A matches and will welcome home crowds to the Estadio Azteca. Ecuador advanced to the final tournament in dramatic fashion. Defeat soccer powerhouse Germany 2-1 In the group final.
Highlights of June 30th
— Ivory Coast vs. Norway, 1 p.m. EDT, Arlington, Texas (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
— France vs. Sweden, 5 p.m. EDT, East Rutherford, N.J. (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
— Mexico vs. Ecuador, 9pm EDT in Mexico City (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
Norway heads to North Texas for showdown with Ivory Coast
When the rested Norwegian team arrived in Dallas ahead of their Round of 32 match against Ivory Coast, they were greeted by about a dozen local law enforcement officers making rowing motions on the tarmac.
Norway coach Starre Solbakken said it was a “surreal” moment for his team, although he said he was on the wrong side of the plane and couldn’t see it.
haaland He was among the 10 regulars who were not in the starting lineup for Norway’s final group stage match. Although some fans were disappointed, the loss to France came just four days after a 3-2 win over Senegal, and Norway had already secured their first place in the knockout stages since 1998.
“We have to do what’s best for the team and the coach was clear and we agreed with him. We’ve had really tough games so far and it’s going to be a really tough game tomorrow too. And we had a chance to rotate a little bit,” team captain Martin Odegaard said before training on Monday. “We have to think about ourselves and how we can do as well as we can in this competition.”
Midfielder Patrick Berg said: “I’m going to rest a little bit. I think that was the smart thing to do. So I’m very, very happy to do that.”
This will be the fourth World Cup for Ivory Coast, and the first final tournament. Les Elephants, like Norway, finished second in their group.
Deschamps wants to lead France to another World Cup appearance
Deschamps learned of his mother’s death the next day. France wins Iraq They decided to advance from the group stage on June 22nd.
“I’m here. I’m fine. It’s good that I’ve been busy since Friday evening when I returned to the United States,” Deschamps said Monday through an interpreter.
France won all their group matches for the first time since 1998, with Argentina and Mexico the only countries to win all three matches. Les Bleus, aiming for their third title after 1998 and 2018, will face either Germany or Paraguay in the round of 16 if they get past Sweden.
Deschamps coached France 2018 title And on to the finals in 2022. Argentina won on penalties.
Deschamps, who was captain of France’s 1998 champions, became manager in 2012 and announced his appointment in January. I will retire this summer. He is trying to become the second manager to win the World Cup twice, after Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938.
France striker Markus Thuram will not play against Sweden due to a calf injury, while midfielder N’Golo Kante is also uncertain.
Sweden national team defender Isak Hien injured his hamstring in the 37th minute against Japan last Thursday and was forced to miss the match.
Sweden had a dismal performance in group play, finishing third in Group F. Sweden defeated Tunisia 5-1 in their first match, but lost to the Netherlands 5-1, and then drew 1-1 with Japan.
France will play Sweden for the first time in the World Cup.
Mexico expects home crowd, altitude may be advantageous
Mexico’s best performances at the World Cup came in 1970 and 1986, reaching the quarter-finals both times.
The current team, which opened with three consecutive wins for the first time in the tournament’s history, will face Ecuador and aim for their first victory in the finals since June 1986, when they defeated Bulgaria in the Round of 16.
“I don’t know if we’re the favorites, but we’re playing at home with our fans behind us, so we want to do the right thing,” left-back Jesus Gallardo said before Monday’s practice.
In addition to the fans, the Mexicans also benefit from the altitude, 7,350 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level, which is a factor in the team losing only two games in its history at Estadio Azteca.
“We have a 90-minute match, plus extra time and maybe penalties, so we should focus on playing football as usual and not worrying about the altitude,” added Gallardo.
Ecuador advanced to this round in third place in Group E, behind Germany and Ivory Coast.
More World Cup news
— South Korea coach resigns after early withdrawal from World Cup, harsh criticism from president
— In the World Cup finals bracket: Some teams have an easier path than others
— Czech coach Koubec resigns after early withdrawal from World Cup
— Belgium centre-back Zeno De Basto trains for the first time at the World Cup while recovering from foot injury
— World Cup in photos, day 19
statistics of the day
— Gabriel Martinelli stoppage time winner The 95th-minute goal between Japan and Brazil on Monday was the latest goal for Brazil to win a World Cup match in normal time.
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AP Sports Writers Ronald Blum, Carlos Rodriguez and Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.
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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
