Senegal crashed to yet another mistake-filled defeat, 3-2 to Norway, giving up three goals once again just like in their first game to leave their World Cup fates hanging in the balance. They’ll need a win against Iraq in the final game just to have a chance of finishing among the better third-place teams, and will likely need to work on improving that goal difference as well.
The fact that Mamadou Sarr has gotten zero minutes so far despite their defense looking so shaky — ex-Chelsea man Kalidou
Koulibaly in particular — is a bit of a head-scratcher, especially after Sarr was so key for them in the final rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations.
On the plus side, Nicolas Jackson got himself a goal contribution, setting up Senegal’s goal in stoppage time, which put the outcome briefly in doubt. But they couldn’t find a third, giving Norway all three points and a guaranteed spot in the Round of 32, along with France.
Erling Haaland made it four goals in two career World Cup games in the process, matching the daily output of both Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi earlier in the day — the former equaling Miroslav Klose’s record for most World Cup goals all time, and the latter breaking it emphatically. Messi’s now on 18; Mbappé’s on 16. Messi may yet win the Golden Boot in this World Cup, but eventually the record will surely be Kylian’s, considering he’s over a decade younger.
Neither France nor Argentina had much trouble with their opponents: Les Bleus easily dispatching Iraq, 3-0 (Malo Gusto played the final ten or so) and Argentina never really facing any threat from Austria in a 2-0 win.
That game may have been close on the scoreboard for a long time, but the defending champions were in full control on the pitch, thanks in great part to Enzo Fernández, who put in yet another stellar performance. We sure are going to miss him when he goes to Real Madrid.
Enzo logged the full-90 once again. He may get a bit of rest in the final group stage game, which will not matter after Argentina’s group win was confirmed by Algeria beating Jordan, 2-1 in the final match of the day.
