Erling Haaland is not part of the Norway starting XI for their blockbuster clash against France, which is taking place on Friday (June 26) at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough. The star striker has been in red-hot form with four goals in the first two matches but will have to wait for a chance to add to his tally and not get a chance for a direct head-to-head with Kylian Mbappe from the start of the match.
Haaland and Mbappe are the joint second-highest goalscorers in the ongoing tournament. Both scored a brace each in their teams’ first two matches of the tournament. Today’s clash was highly awaited since the draw but has not lived up to the billing with the star forward benched.
Why Is Erling Haaland Not Starting For Norway VS France?
Haaland is part of Norway’s decision to heavily rotate their side for the fixture, with head coach Ståle Solbakken opting to rest 10 of the 11 starters from the last match. This includes skipper Martin Ødegaard as well as the goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. Midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is the only player that started last game and is also in today’s XI.
France vs Norway Starting XIs
France Playing XI:
GK: Mike Maignan
DF: Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix
MF: Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni
FW: Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue
Substitutes:Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, N’Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Ryan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Norway Playing XI:
GK: Egil Selvik
DF: Leo Ostigard, Fredrik Andre Bjorkan, Henrik Falchener
MF: Patrick Berg, Fredrik Aursnes, Kristian Thorstvedt, Thelo Aasgaard, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb
FW: Jorgen Strand Larsen
Substitutes:Orjan Nyland, Sander Tangvik, Kristoffer Ajer, David Moller Wolfe, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Torbjorn Heggem, Sondre Langas, Morten Thorsby, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Jens Petter Hauge, Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa, Julian Ryerson.
