Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring against Iraq/ FILE
Norway vs France
[Gillette Stadium, Friday, 10pm]
A heavyweight showdown awaits in Group I as world football’s devastating forwards, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, lock horns with top spot on the line.
Having both dispatched Senegal and Iraq, Norway and France have already booked tickets to the Round of 32. Now, the battle is for supremacy and a smoother knockout route.
France hold a slender advantage courtesy of a superior goal difference (+5 to Norway’s +4), meaning a draw will be enough for Les Bleus to finish top.
However, the French camp will be without head coach Didier Deschamps, who is away attending his mother’s funeral. Long-serving assistant Guy Stéphan will take charge.
This will be the first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations, although France boast the superior historical record with eight wins to Norway’s four, alongside four draws.
The Norwegians, dubbed the Vikings, have announced their return to the global stage in style after a 28-year exile. A commanding 4-1 demolition of Iraq was followed by a thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal.
Yet all eyes will be fixed on the marquee duel between Haaland and Mbappé—two generational talents carrying their club form into this tournament.
Prediction: France 2-2 Norway
Uruguay vs Spain
[Estadio Akron, Saturday, 3am]
Another clash steeped in footballing pedigree takes centre stage as Uruguay and Spain meet in a decisive Group H finale.
Spain sit atop the standings on four points, having been held to a frustrating goalless draw by Cape Verde before dismantling Saudi Arabia 4-0. Another point will secure first place for La Roja.
Uruguay remain unbeaten but unconvincing. Marcelo Bielsa’s men have drawn both outings—1-1 against Saudi Arabia and 2-2 with Cape Verde—leaving them needing a positive result to avoid relying on third-place permutations.
The midfield battleground could prove decisive. Uruguay’s energetic engine room, spearheaded by Federico Valverde and Manuel Ugarte, will look to impose Bielsa’s high-intensity press and suffocate Spain’s rhythm.
But should Rodri dictate proceedings from deep, Spain’s electric wide men, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, could find joy against a Uruguayan defence that appears vulnerable when pressed.
Expect a tactical chess match where individual brilliance separates the sides.
Prediction: Spain 2-1 Uruguay
Croatia vs Ghana
[Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, 12am]
Tournament survival is on the line as Croatia and Ghana collide in a tense and fiercely contested Group L encounter.
Croatia head into the final round sitting third on three points. Following a bruising 4-2 defeat to England, Zlatko Dalić’s men responded with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama to keep their World Cup hopes alive. They will turn to captain Luka Modrić, whose guile and vision remain central to their ambitions.
Ghana, under Carlos Queiroz, have proven stubborn. The Black Stars edged Panama 1-0 before producing a disciplined defensive masterclass to hold England to a goalless draw.
The 40-year-old Modrić will face Ghana’s midfield enforcer Thomas Partey in a duel of craft against steel. Croatia will seek to monopolise possession, while Ghana are expected to sit deep and spring forward through Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew.
With so much at stake, expect nerves, intensity, and little margin for error.
Prediction: Croatia 1-1 Ghana
