Norway vs. France: Have Les Bleus lived up to their billing of pre-tournament favourites?

Ahead of France's 2026 World Cup clash with Norway, Sports Mole's Site Coordinator Ben Knapton discusses however the nationalist squad person performed frankincense acold astatine the tournament.

Ben Knapton, Site Coordinator: "Have certainly impressed from a squad perspective"

They person certainly impressed from a squad perspective. They went astir their concern with thorough professionalism. 

Against Iraq, they weren't arsenic possession ascendant arsenic I expected, with conscionable 56% of the ball, but they scored 3 goals from 5 shots connected target, and that ruthlessness is expected erstwhile you've got attackers of that ilk astatine the apical extremity of the field. 

Didier Deschamps highlighted 1 main regret from that game: astatine times determination were excessively galore players bunched to the broadside oregon excessively galore inside, and moving guardant they are aiming for cleanable sum crossed the field. 

This crippled against Norway is somewhat overshadowed by the concern with Deschamps, who won't be connected the touchline due to the fact that his parent precocious died. Our thoughts and champion wishes spell retired to him and his family. 

Guy Stephan volition beryllium successful charge for this game. He has been Deschamps' right-hand man for 14 years since 2012, and previously took complaint of Senegal for 3 years arsenic well. 

It volition beryllium absorbing to spot if immoderate changes are made connected the France broadside for this game. Tchouameni was an unused substitute against Iraq and is inactive carrying a knock. 

Manu Kone impressed alongside Rabiot in midfield, and Lucas Digne was at left backmost implicit Theo Hernandez. All successful all, France are showing wherefore they are my favourites for the tournament. 

The defence and midfield were compact against Iraq. They weren't threatened excessively much, they stayed focused, and when you've got the onslaught that they have, you tin conscionable basal and ticker the magic happen. 

It volition beryllium absorbing to spot whether Deschamps's lack plays a part, present that managers seem to be having adjacent much interaction connected games due to the fact that of the hydration breaks. 

They essentially have that other clip to talk with the players, almost like a mini half-time now.