Norway pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over France in their World Cup 2026 group stage match, while Senegal secured a narrow 1-0 win against Iraq in a day of gripping football action.
Norway's Historic Win Over France
Norway defeated France 2-1 in a result that sent shockwaves through the tournament. Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a powerful strike. Kylian Mbappé equalized for France in the 55th minute, but Martin Ødegaard restored Norway's lead with a free-kick in the 78th minute. France pushed for an equalizer but Norway's defense held firm.
According to match statistics, Norway had 40% possession but managed 5 shots on target to France's 8. The victory puts Norway top of their group with 4 points, while France sit second with 3 points.
Senegal Edges Past Iraq
Senegal claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Iraq, with Sadio Mané scoring the only goal in the 67th minute. The match was tightly contested, with both teams creating chances. Senegal's goalkeeper Édouard Mendy made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Iraq had 12 shots but only 2 on target, while Senegal had 8 shots with 3 on target. The win moves Senegal to 4 points in their group, while Iraq remain on 1 point.
Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia Draw
Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia played out a 1-1 draw in a match that saw both teams cancel each other out. Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 34th minute through Salem Al-Dawsari, but Cape Verde equalized in the 61st minute via a header from Ryan Mendes. The result leaves both teams with 2 points each in their group.
Other Matches
Uruguay secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Egypt, with goals from Darwin Núñez (2) and Federico Valverde. Spain thrashed Iran 4-1, with Álvaro Morata scoring a brace. New Zealand held Belgium to a 1-1 draw, with Chris Wood scoring for the All Whites and Romelu Lukaku equalizing for Belgium.
Group Standings Impact
The results have significant implications for the knockout stages. Norway's win over France opens up Group A, while Senegal's victory strengthens their position in Group B. The draws for Cape Verde and New Zealand keep their hopes alive, while losses for Egypt and Iran put them under pressure.
