The final round of matches in World Cup Group I take place on Friday when Norway clash with France and Senegal take on Iraq
Group I Update
France and Norway both have 6 points and are battling it out for top spot. Both Senegal and Iraq have lost both their matches which leaves the winner of their game finishing third and hoping for the best.
A reminder that the final round of matches in each group share the same kick off time. Should two or more teams finish equal on points in their group the first criteria used to determine the final standings is the head to head record. The 8 best third placed finishers from the 12 groups will also qualify for the Round of 32.
Norway vs France (Boston)
Norway:
Norway made it 2 wins from 2 when they edged out Senegal 3-2 in New Jersey. Marcus Pederson opened the scoring late in the first half and Haaland made it 2-0 not long after the restart. Senegal pulled a goal back but Haaland was on target again to make it 3-1 just before the hour mark. Senegal reduced the arrears again but that final goal of the game came in injury time and Norway held on.
Erling Haaland scored 2 of his goals in a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston in their opening game. Haaland’s goals came in the first half either side of an Iraq equalizer, Leo Ostigard made it 3-1 on 76 minutes and an Iraq own goal at the death rounded off the scoring
France
Kylian Mbappe scored 2 more goals as France ease to a 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia to make it 2 wins from 2 and seal a Round of 32 spot. Either side of Mbappe’s goal the game was delayed for around 2 hours for lightning to move away and the win was sealed when Ousmane Dembele added a third.
France came into the tournament as joint favourites to lift the trophy and they didn’t disappoint in opening their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal. We had to wait until the 66th minute for Kylian Mbappe to open the scoring. Bradley Barcola made it 2-0 on 82 minutes but Senegal pulled a goal back in the fifth minute of injury time only for Mbappe to score his second and France’s third.
The Betting:
Norway are priced at around 18/5 to win the game with the draw available at 31/10 and France can be backed at around 7/10.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 13/20 and its ???? for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Top spot in the group is up for grabs and it could be a case of who wants it most. I’m a little hesitant about this given both sides have qualified but I’ll go with both tams to score in a game of 3 goals or more which has arrived in both of Norway’s earlier group matches.
Bets: Both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals? Yes at 21/20 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Senegal vs Iraq (Toronto)
Senegal:
Senegal are under pressure after failing to pick up a point from their two opening matches. Their 3-2 defeat to Norway in New Jersey means their only route into the knockout rounds is as a best third placed finisher and that will require them to win this game and hope that is enough. Senegal conceded either side of half time in the loss to Norway, Ismaila Sarr scored both of their goals but they came up short.
Senegal’s opening match saw them go down 3-1 to France in New Jersey. The first half ended without a goal but Senegal went closest with Nicolas Jackson hitting the woodwork. France took the lead on 66 minutes and made it 2-0 on 82 minutes. Senegal’s goal came through Ibrahim Mbaye just into injury time but there still time for France to add a third.
Iraq
Iraq’s 3-0 loss to France in Philadelphia leaves them without a point and in a similar position to Senegal but with a worse goal difference. Their defeat to France was subject to aa 2 hour interruption for potential lightning strikes to clear the area. By then Iraq were 1-0 down and a further 2 French goals in the second half sealed their fate.
Iraq began their campaign against Norway in Boston and they went down 4-1. Aymen Hussein scored their goal late in the first half but that came either side of a brace for Haaland. Norway led 2-1 at the break and made it 3-1 on 76 minutes before Iraq’s scorer then put through his own net deep into injury time.
The Betting:
Senegal are priced at around 1 / 4 to win the game with the draw available at 11/2 and Iraq can be backed at around 10/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 8/15 and its 11/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
I think we will see Senegal put themselves in the frame to clinch a best third place finisher qualification spot with a victory here, hopefully with them scoring at least 3 goals.
Bets: Senegal total goals, over 2.5 at even money with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change