FIFA turns down heartfelt request before France and Norway’s World Cup match
France won their game against Norway 4-1, finishing top of their World Cup group, and both teams moved on to the knockout rounds. But before the match, FIFA was criticized for a decision many saw as unfair.
Norway made 10 changes to their lineup after beating Senegal, with stars like Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Ørjan Nyland starting on the bench. Coach Ståle Solbakken’s strategy might help Norway in the next round since they’re likely to play Ivory Coast instead of Sweden, who are expected to face France.
While France got a great result, their coach Didier Deschamps was absent, with Guy Stéphan stepping in. Deschamps left to be with his family because his mother had passed away. To honor him, the French team wanted to wear black armbands, but FIFA refused.
The French Football Federation (FFF) said there would be a minute’s silence for Deschamps’ late mother, but soon after, they clarified that the silence was already planned for the victims of the Venezuelan earthquake. The FFF then asked FIFA to allow the black armbands, but that was also denied.
On the field, France made things easy. Ousmane Dembélé scored three goals in just 32 minutes. Norway’s only goal came from Thelo Aasgaard after Dembélé’s second. Norway had a chance to make it 3-2 when Oscar Bobb was fouled in the penalty area, but Mike Maignan saved the penalty. In stoppage time, Désiré Doué scored a smart header to seal the 4-1 win for France, who are two-time World Cup winners.