The closing spherical of World Cup group play is underway and Groups G, H and I return on Friday as groups combat for the ultimate spots within the knockout spherical.
Group I kicks issues off within the afternoon with one of the extremely anticipated matchups as Kylian Mbappé and France tackle Erling Haaland and Norway for the group’s prime spot. Unfortunately, Haaland will probably be on the bench to start out the match as the 2 gamers chase Lionel Messi within the Golden Boot race.
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In the early night window, we’ve a conflict of soccer giants as Spain tries to win Group H in a showdown in opposition to Uruguay. At the identical time, shocking upstart Cape Verde will attempt to maintain its tourney hopes alive in opposition to Saudi Arabia.
World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | Standings
Then, within the nightcap, Group G with take heart stage. Belgium is in a little bit of bother after its first two video games and desires a great outcome in opposition to New Zealand to advance. Egypt can lock up the highest spot within the group with a win.
Group G
Group H
Group I
Follow all of Friday’s motion together with live updates, highlights, outcomes and evaluation beneath.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The French didn’t want it, however they tacked on one other purpose within the dying embers in any case.
It’ll finish 4-1
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Ndiaye makes it 5-0 within the 82nd minute, taking a go from Sarr and smashing a fantastic strike from distance previous the Iraq goalkeeper. It was the newest spotlight in a dominant second half for Senegal, which is closing in on an announcement win.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
There hasn’t been a lot on this one late. France is content material controlling possession; Norway has been unable to place a lot stress on.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Pape Gueye slams dwelling one other with a fantastic left-footed strike from simply exterior the 6-yard field. He’s acquired the brace and it’s 4-0 Senegal.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
France continues to be up 3-1 on Norway and Erling Haaland stays on the bench for the Norwegians with 20 minutes left within the match.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
It’s a dream sequence for Senegal as they’ve scored once more simply minutes afterward a fantastic left-footed strike by Gueye.
Senegal has given itself an actual shot on the knockout spherical right here.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
An enormous mistake by Iraq’s protection opened the door for a lurking Ismaila Sarr, who retains his cool and rolls the ball into the online from shut vary.
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Sean Leahy
Jørgen Strand Larsen takes the ball and doesn’t idiot France goalkeeper Mike Maignan with an unconfident try.
France stays up 3-1.
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Sean Leahy
Theo Hernández leaves his left leg dangling and journeys up Oscar Bobb within the penalty field. An straightforward determination for referee Michael Oliver.
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Sean Leahy
France appears to shut out Norway for the group title and Senegal hopes to improves its third place possibilities and a spot within the spherical of 32.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 26: French supporters holding inflatable croissants through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, United States. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside through Getty Images)
(Simon Stacpoole/Offside through Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
What a gap 45 minutes for France, who’re primed to take the Group I crown over Norway. Senegal is in fine condition in opposition to 10-man Iraq to be in rivalry for one of many prime eight third-place spots within the spherical of 32.
The final participant to file a primary half hat trick in a World Cup was Russia’s Oleg Salenko in 1994 in opposition to Cameroon.
According to Paul Carr, he additionally has the second-earliest hat trick (32 minutes) in World Cup historical past. Only Austria’s Erich Probst (24 minutes, 1954) was sooner.
Group I live desk
1. France – 9 factors (+7 GD)
2. Norway – 6 factors (+2 GD)
3. Senegal – 3 factors (-2 GD)
4. Iraq – 0 factors (-7 GD)FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 26: Ousmane Dembele #7 of France celebrates scoring his staff’s third purpose through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Images)
(Maddie Meyer – FIFA through Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner is exhibiting why he’s so hazard. Dembélé will get his hat trick within the thirty second minute with one other minimize throughout the Norway field onto the left foot.
France leads 3-1.
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Sean Leahy
Not so quick, says Norway.
Just 81 seconds after the Dembélé purpose, Norway strikes down the sector unabated and Thelo Aasgaard’s shot beats Mike Maignan to chop the France result in 2-1.
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Sean Leahy
Again, Ousmane Dembélé will get a ball on the precise facet and is given the time and area to create a shot throughout the penalty arc. It’s 2-0 France and we aren’t even a half hour into the match.
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Sean Leahy
Iraq will play a person down for the remainder of the match as Rebin Sulaka will get referred to as for a Denial of a Goal Scoring Opportunity foul after pulling the shirt of Sadio Mané. Referee Anthony Taylor confirmed the choice after a VAR assessment.
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Sean Leahy
Left alone on the precise flank, Ousmane Dembélé takes a go and fakes a left-footed shot and brings it onto his proper earlier than beating Egil Selvik for the primary purpose of the match.
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Sean Leahy
Habib Diarra will get a contact on Abdoulaye Seck’s header following a Senegal nook kick as Iraq’s protection couldn’t muscle Seck out. The Lions de la Téranga lead early.
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Sean Leahy
