“Chants of “We want Haaland” rang out at Boston Stadium in the second half as fans who pay to watch the match were soured by Norwegian star Erling Haaland’s inclusion on the bench for Friday’s World Cup game between France and Norway, reporter Jeremy Goldstein wrote.
“Haaland opened his country’s World Cup on Friday with just one goal from Lionel Messi, scoring four goals for Norway against Iraq and Senegal. Kylian Mbappé, who also scored four goals, was also included in the France squad, adding to the frustration of fans who missed the first game.”
“However, Norwegian coach Store Solbakken made the move to bring on Jens Petter Hauge and Antonio Nusa in the 83rd minute, his third and final substitution, confirming that Haaland would not play.”Norwegian fans confirmed that Haaland would not play after his team lost 4-1. He was loud and proud, still cheering on his new signings. Haaland was probably unfazed by the news of his first benching, as he was also seen getting on well with his Manchester City team-mates.
“Even the French fans seemed to groan when Solbakken brought on Sondre Langas as a substitute in the 66th minute against Haaland.The chants of “Erling Haaland, Erling Haaland” got louder, but the manager remained undaunted. Tickets for Friday’s game ended up around $850 at most resellers, after trading for more than $2,000 for much of 2026.
“Norway could have used its talisman – Haaland is already his country’s all-time leading scorer at the age of 25 – and French winger Ousmane Dembele, who was bipedal from the start, scored a hat-trick in the first half, all with his left foot. Liverpool-born Norwegian midfielder Thero Asgard got one point back for his country and helped the Scandinavian team earn a penalty at the start of the second half.
“Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsson, who has scored 6 goals in 28 appearances for Norway, faced French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. AC Milan’s shot-stopper guesses on the left and compares Larsson’s shot. It was an easy save. Mbappe assisted on two of Dembele’s three goals and remained hungry in the second half, even though France held a 3-1 lead. His effort was perhaps a bummer as France looked set to win the group anyway.
“Norway came into Friday needing a win to finish top of Group I. A win would have likely sealed an all-Scandinavian Round of 32 encounter in New York with Sweden, third in Group F.
“Had Norway won, they would have faced Germany in the round of 16. Instead, Norway appears to have been ticketed to a round of 32 encounter with Ivory Coast, the second-placed team in Group E. If Haaland’s side win that, they will face either Brazil or Japan in the round of 16.”
Erling Haaland is doing great at the World Cup (Image: (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
