Scotland

vs

Brazil

Scotland's first ever appearance in a World Cup knockout round is on the line at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, almost three decades since they last faced Brazil at this tournament. A win or a draw against the five-time champions would do it. Even a defeat might still be enough if results elsewhere go their way, though Steve Clarke's side will want to avoid anything heavy. Brazil, already through, are chasing top spot in Group C.

Scotland — The Tartan Army

Scotland have lost six and drawn two of their eight previous meetings with Brazil, including three World Cup group-stage defeats between 1982 and 1998, but Clarke felt his side were unlucky not to get something out of the 1-0 loss to Morocco, even without registering a shot on target. Angus Gunn continues in goal ahead of Craig Gordon, and the back five reunites Scott McKenna alongside Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry and the wing-backs Andy Robertson and Nathan Patterson, despite Hanley facing scrutiny after Morocco's goal.

John McGinn and Scott McTominay push on either side of Lewis Ferguson, who trained through fatigue this week, with Ben Gannon-Doak retained out wide and Che Adams leading the line ahead of Lawrence Shankland and Lyndon Dykes. Some reports expect Clarke to drop deeper still into a back four with Kieran Tierney involved, but the setup pencilled in here sticks with the five at the back that's carried Scotland this far.

Brazil — Selecao

Carlo Ancelotti hailed a "complete" performance after Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti, a result that took the five-time champions to 41 World Cup matches with three or more goals, five clear of Germany in second on that list. Raphinha is out for the rest of the group stage with a hamstring injury picked up in that game, and the lineup here has 19-year-old Rayan continuing on the right in his place. Neymar has been cleared to feature after recovering from injury, but the front four stays as it was rather than handing him a recall, with Lucas Paqueta still in the number 10 role behind Vinicius Jr and Matheus Cunha.

The back four of Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Douglas Santos protects Alisson, with Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes screening in front. Brazil's last three World Cup group-stage exits have all come on matchday three, including the shock loss to Cameroon in 2022, so Ancelotti won't be taking Scotland lightly despite the gulf in quality on paper.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Scotland's back five vs Vinicius Jr and Cunha. Scotland's whole game plan rests on staying compact and disciplined against a Brazil front line that tore Haiti apart. If Hanley, McKenna and Hendry can hold their shape and limit the space in behind, Scotland have a real chance of grinding out the point or even the win that would make history. One lapse against this attack, though, and it could unravel quickly.

Prediction

Brazil's attacking depth, even without Raphinha, should be too much for a Scotland side that's shown plenty of heart but precious little cutting edge of their own. Scotland's discipline could make this bumpier than the quality gap suggests, and there should be chances at the other end too, but Brazil's class should ultimately see them home.

Scotland 1–3 Brazil — Adams — Cunha, Vinicius Jr, Paqueta

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

vs

Qatar

Both eliminated if they lose, Bosnia and Qatar meet in Seattle in a Group B dead rubber that's anything but. Bosnia sit third on one point after a battling draw with Canada and a heavy defeat to Switzerland, while Qatar are fourth on the same number after their own draw with the Swiss was followed by a chaotic 6-0 loss to Canada that included two red cards. Whoever loses here is out.

Bosnia and Herzegovina — Dragons

Tarik Muharemovic's red card against Switzerland means a one-match ban, and the lineup here has Dennis Hadzikadunic stepping in alongside Nikola Katic at centre-back. Ivan Sunjic is back fit and starts ahead of Ivan Basic, with Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic both getting the nod out wide rather than the manager going with Amar Memic's defensive solidity on one flank, a call some reports expect to go the other way given how badly Bosnia need the win. Edin Dzeko, who struggled to make an impact against Switzerland, continues up top alongside Ermedin Demirovic, with Amar Dedic retaining his place at right-back despite a tough afternoon last time out given the lack of cover in reserve.

Qatar — The Maroons

Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo are both suspended after their red cards against Canada, and the lineup here has Ayoub Al-Oui deputising at the back and Karim Boudiaf coming in for Madibo in midfield, even with Hamdy Fathy reportedly closer to full fitness and in contention for that same spot. Edmilson Junior continues up front still searching for his first goal for the national team, alongside Akram Afif and Yusuf Abdurisag. Topscorer Almoez Ali, with 55 goals in 119 caps, remains an option from the bench but hasn't featured at all so far at this World Cup.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Edin Dzeko vs Qatar's makeshift back line. Qatar are already missing two regular starters at the back and in midfield. If Dzeko and Demirovic can get in behind a defence reshuffled at short notice, Bosnia have the firepower to make their slight favourites tag count. Qatar's best hope is keeping things scrappy and hoping their front three find one moment of quality.

Prediction

This is a huge match for both, and the kind of game where nerves could dominate over quality. Bosnia have the better squad depth even with Muharemovic missing, and the chance to keep their own knockout hopes alive should sharpen them up. Qatar's suspensions leave them light in two key areas, and that gap should tell.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–1 Qatar — Dzeko, Demirovic — Afif

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Switzerland

vs

Canada

Top spot in Group B is on the line at BC Place in Vancouver, with Switzerland and Canada level on four points after two rounds. A draw sends both through regardless of what happens elsewhere, which adds an interesting wrinkle to how cagey either side is willing to be. For co-hosts Canada, in front of a home crowd, this is a shot at topping a World Cup group for the first time in their history.

Switzerland — Nati

The 4-1 win over Bosnia flattered Switzerland a little. They dominated for long spells without scoring, and the scoreline only really opened up once Tarik Muharemovic's red card left Bosnia chasing the game. Murat Yakin's side are unbeaten in five across all competitions and haven't conceded a single first-half goal in that run, with both goals shipped at this World Cup coming in stoppage time.

The lineup set up here keeps faith with Silvan Widmer and Michel Aebischer, both of whom came in for Denis Zakaria and Ruben Vargas against Bosnia and impressed enough to stay. Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler screen the back four, with Dan Ndoye and teenage sensation Johan Manzambi, who scored twice last time out, providing the width either side of Breel Embolo. Some reports expect Vargas to reclaim his spot on the right, but the version here keeps Manzambi in after his impact. Miro Muheim is a minor fitness doubt and still training apart, so don't expect him to be involved.

Canada — Les Rouges

Canada's 6-0 demolition of Qatar was a statement. It's their biggest-ever World Cup win, and their 97 touches inside the box were 26 more than any team has managed in a World Cup match since 1966. Jonathan David's hat-trick and a second straight goal for Cyle Larin headlined the rout, though the day was soured by Ismael Kone suffering a broken leg that ends his tournament.

The team news here keeps Nathan Saliba in for Kone after his goal and assist as a substitute, with the rest of the side unchanged: Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Luc de Fougerolles and Richie Laryea across the back, Tajon Buchanan and Ali Ahmed wide of Stephen Eustaquio and Saliba, with David and Larin up top. Alphonso Davies is back in full training but unlikely to be risked from the start given how well the side has performed without him, and Moise Bombito played 45 minutes last time out without quite forcing his way back in. Cornelius and de Fougerolles are both one yellow card from a suspension that would be costly in the knockouts, so don't be surprised if Jesse Marsch manages that carefully.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Granit Xhaka vs Canada's press. The tempo of this game runs through whether Xhaka can dictate from deep against a Canadian midfield that will look to deny him time on the ball. Win that, and Switzerland can pick their moments to release Ndoye and Manzambi. Lose it, and Canada's energy in front of a roaring home crowd could turn this into exactly the kind of occasion they thrive on.

Prediction

Both sides are already in a strong position to advance regardless of the result, and that tends to produce a cagey, low-risk game rather than an all-out shootout. Opta's model has Switzerland's pedigree and Canada's home advantage as roughly a coin flip for top spot. Expect a tight one, with neither side wanting to take the kind of risk that ends in a suspension or an injury heading into the knockouts.

Switzerland 1–1 Canada — Embolo — David

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Colombia

vs

DR Congo

Group K's early leaders Colombia head to Estadio Guadalajara knowing a win sends them straight into the last 32, while DR Congo arrive off the back of a famous point against Portugal in their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 despite being made to sweat for long periods, and DR Congo will fancy doing something similar here.

Colombia — Los Cafeteros

Luis Diaz put Colombia 2-1 up against Uzbekistan in the 65th minute, and Jaminton Campaz settled things in stoppage time after a nervy spell where the debutants threatened to snatch a draw. The lineup pencilled in here has James Rodriguez operating in a flatter midfield alongside Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta and Jhon Arias, with Diaz and Luis Suarez paired together up front rather than one playing in behind the other. Nestor Lorenzo used an attacking 4-3-3 with Arias in the midfield three against Uzbekistan, and some reports have him instead pulling things back into a more familiar 4-2-3-1 with Rodriguez tucked in behind a lone Suarez, who scored 28 league goals for Sporting Lisbon last season despite drawing a blank in the opener. Either way, Diaz remains the player most likely to hurt DR Congo, given he can both create and finish.

DR Congo — The Leopards

Sebastien Desabre went with a back five against Portugal, something he's known to do from time to time, and seeing Joao Neves score inside six minutes could easily have rattled a side at their first World Cup in over five decades. Instead, DR Congo settled and matched Portugal stride for stride for the rest of the game, even missing two good chances of their own through Cedric Bakambu and Joris Kayembe late on.

The team news pencilled in here keeps Desabre's back three intact, with Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Steve Kapuadi across the middle and Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Wan-Bissaka pushed up as wing-backs. Mbemba picked up a booking against Portugal and will need to be careful here to avoid missing the final group game. In behind the front two, Edo Kayembe gets the nod over Noah Sadiki as the No. 10, with Yoane Wissa, scorer of his country's first World Cup goal, partnering Bakambu up top. Some reports have Desabre going the other way entirely, reverting to a flat back four with Sadiki in midfield and Theo Bongonda wide instead.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Luis Diaz vs DR Congo's wing-backs. Whichever shape Colombia line up in, Diaz cutting inside from the left is their most direct route to goal. If Masuaku gets caught too high up the pitch, Diaz has the pace and finishing to punish the space behind him, much as he did against Uzbekistan.

Prediction

DR Congo have already shown, against a far better side than this Colombia team looked at times, that they're not just there to make up the numbers. Colombia have scored two or more in three straight games and carry the bigger threat in Diaz and Suarez, but DR Congo's organisation should keep this closer than the gap in pedigree suggests.

Colombia 1–1 DR Congo — Diaz — Wissa

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Panama

vs

Croatia

Both sides arrive at Toronto Stadium with zero points, and a result here could decide who keeps any real hope of a third-placed finish alive. Panama lost 1-0 to Ghana despite barely being troubled for long spells, while Croatia were taken apart by England's attack in a 4-2 defeat. This is the kind of match Croatia are expected to win, but Panama have already shown they can make life difficult for better sides.

Panama — Los Canaleros

There's a reasonable case that Panama were the better side for large stretches against Ghana. They didn't face a single shot in the first half and limited the opposition to one header from a set piece soon after the break, only for Caleb Yirenkyi to break their hearts in stoppage time. Thomas Christiansen is still chasing his side's first ever point at a World Cup, with their only previous appearance, back in 2018, ending in three defeats.

Midfielder Carlos Harvey and wing-back Cesar Blackman are both one yellow card away from suspension for the final group game, so expect a disciplined approach regardless of how the match is going. Yoel Barcenas was excellent defensively against Ghana and is in line for his 106th cap, while Jiovany Ramos, Jose Cordoba and Andres Andrade are all set to continue in the back three that held firm for so long last time. Up front, Cecilio Waterman is the one tasked with holding the ball up and taking some of the pressure off a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet in nine matches.

Croatia — Vatreni

There's no great shame in losing to an England side that scored four, and Zlatko Dalic will point to a decent opening 45 minutes before his side were physically overrun. Croatia have form for tightening up after a rocky start, having gone unbeaten through the group stages in both 2018 and 2022 on the way to a final and a semi-final.

Six of the current squad were at that 2018 tournament, including 40-year-old Luka Modric, who's expected to start again regardless of his age. The lineup pencilled in here goes with a 4-2-3-1: uncapped-at-this-level Luka Sucic alongside Modric in a double pivot, Martin Baturina handed the number 10 role, and Petar Budimir leading the line with Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric either side of him. Several outlets have a different shape entirely, with Modric instead playing in a midfield three alongside Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic, and Petar Musa leading the line in place of Budimir. It's a notably different look from what's being talked about elsewhere, so don't be surprised if the team sheet still has a surprise or two in it.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Luka Modric vs Panama's midfield four. Croatia's whole approach depends on Modric dictating tempo from deep. If Panama's well-organised four in front of the back three can close him down quickly, Croatia could find themselves short on ideas the way they did before England's class took over. Give him space, and his passing range should pick Panama apart eventually.

Prediction

Panama's defensive discipline makes this harder than it should be on paper, and they were arguably unlucky not to take something from a tougher fixture against Ghana. Croatia's experience and quality in behind the Panama back three should tell in the end, though, and a goal or two from a settled, talented squad feels like the more likely outcome.

Panama 0–2 Croatia — Budimir, Kramaric

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England

vs

Ghana

Group L's early decider lands at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and both sides can confirm a last-32 spot with a game to spare if they win it. England put four past Croatia in their opener, the kind of scoreline that hadn't happened at a World Cup since the 1966 final, while Ghana scraped past Panama thanks to a stoppage-time winner from 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi. England sit top of the group on goal difference.

England — The Three Lions

The 4-2 win over Croatia ended a nine-game World Cup winless run against top-15 nations, and England's 20 shots inside the box set a new tournament record. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford did the damage after a shaky start defensively, and Thomas Tuchel has a call to make at the back given Ezri Konsa and John Stones were both at fault for Croatia's goals. Marc Guehi looks set to come in for one of them.

Further forward, Bukayo Saka trained again this week and was restricted to indoor work before that, but Noni Madueke is expected to keep his place on the right regardless. Rashford should be fit enough to involve himself, though after holding his hamstring late against Croatia and only entering as a substitute, he's more likely to be assessed than risked from the start, with Anthony Gordon the one tipped to keep that wide slot instead. Declan Rice has been managing his own hamstring issue for months but played down any concern after going off against Croatia, and he's expected to continue alongside Elliot Anderson screening the back four.

Ghana — The Black Stars

Ghana's win over Panama wasn't pretty. They went 94 minutes without scoring before Yirenkyi finished a sweeping counter-attack, and the result snapped a four-match winless run that had also seen them ship 10 goals across their previous 360 minutes. The bigger story all week has been Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada while awaiting a UK trial on charges he denies, but who has already been cleared to enter the United States and is expected to be involved here. The lineup pencilled in here keeps Elisha Owusu in the holding role alongside Yirenkyi, with Partey unused for now. Several outlets have it the other way round, with Partey walking straight back into the side in a double pivot and Owusu demoted to the bench.

In goal, Lawrence Ati-Zigi was taken off at half-time against Panama and conflicting reports have circulated about how serious it is, anywhere from day-by-day to a three-week absence. Benjamin Asare is set to continue regardless. Up front, Antoine Semenyo was rested for the Panama game to be fresh for the World Cup proper and is a certain starter, with Jordan Ayew, the 34-year-old captain with 33 international goals, leading the line ahead of options like Ernest Nuamah and Inaki Williams.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Jude Bellingham vs Ghana's midfield screen. England's rhythm depends on Bellingham finding space between the lines and turning to run at defenders. Whoever lines up alongside Yirenkyi in that holding role has to deny him the time to do it. If they can't, Kane and Madueke should have a steady supply of chances all afternoon.

Prediction

England have the far stronger squad and the form to back it up after that record-breaking display against Croatia. Ghana are well organised and dangerous in transition, and Yirenkyi's late winner against Panama shows they don't panic, but keeping this tight for 90 minutes against an England side this sharp in front of goal feels unlikely.

England 3–0 Ghana — Kane, Bellingham, Madueke

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Portugal

vs

Uzbekistan

Houston Stadium hosts a Group K match that looks straightforward on paper but comes with a bit of edge attached. Portugal were held 1-1 by tournament debutants DR Congo in their opener and now need a response, while Uzbekistan, beaten 3-1 by Colombia in their own first-ever World Cup game, are out to avoid the kind of consecutive defeat that would end their stay early.

Portugal — Selecao das Quinas

Most of the talk since the DR Congo draw has centred on Cristiano Ronaldo, who played the full 90 minutes but didn't manage a single shot on target from his three attempts. Critics have pointed to a tense moment involving Bruno Fernandes as a sign of friction, though Roberto Martinez is expected to stick with his captain regardless of the noise. Ronaldo's last World Cup goal came against Ghana on matchday one back in 2022, so there's pressure building either way.

Ruben Dias missed the opener after being ruled "not 100% fit," and while there's a chance he gets a recall, Portugal have enough cover at the back to manage him carefully with Colombia looming on the final matchday. The lineup pencilled in here has Joao Cancelo at right-back alongside Renato Veiga and Nuno Mendes, with Francisco Conceicao further forward on the right of the front three alongside Pedro Neto and Ronaldo. Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fernandes look set to control the middle of the pitch.

Uzbekistan — The White Wolves

Uzbekistan's nerves were obvious early against Colombia. They failed to register a single touch inside the opposition box during the first half, the only side at this World Cup to manage that, and their xG sat at just 0.02 by that point. Their first touch in the box still produced their first ever World Cup goal, with Dostonbek Khamdamov crossing for Eldor Shomurodov, whose blocked volley fell for Abbosbek Fayzullaev to tap home.

Fabio Cannavaro is expected to make few changes despite the defeat. Rustamjon Ashurmatov is managing a calf issue and is a game-time call, but he's nonetheless pencilled in alongside Abdukodir Khusanov in the heart of defence. Some reports have Uzbekistan setting up in a back three with Khojiakbar Alijonov in the squad mix, though the version expected to start here is a five at the back protecting Yusupov, with Fayzullaev and Shomurodov the closest thing to a counter-attacking outlet.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Bruno Fernandes vs Uzbekistan's midfield block. Portugal's creativity flows through Fernandes finding pockets between the lines. If Uzbekistan's deep five-man shape and midfield screen deny him time on the ball, they have a real chance of frustrating Portugal the way DR Congo did. If he gets even a yard, Ronaldo and the wide men should finally start finding the net.

Prediction

Portugal carry far too much individual talent for a side that couldn't get a foot on the ball for 45 minutes against Colombia. Uzbekistan's deep block and the threat of Fayzullaev on the counter should make this awkward early, but the gap in quality is significant and the longer it goes on, the more it should open up.

Portugal 3–0 Uzbekistan — Ronaldo, Fernandes, Neto

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☕ A Quick Thank You — Plus Something New

Quick one outside the usual match previews and recaps. Someone out there used my Buy Me a Coffee page this week to buy me three coffees — they know who they are, and I genuinely appreciate it. Caffeine levels have been restored.

So, if you fancied chipping in, I've set up a proper donation page to make it easier than hunting down a link. It runs through Stripe, so it's fully secure. I've got a few prize ideas floating around — the cheapest sits in the £20 range, so we're not miles off having enough for that one already. There's also a genuinely brilliant idea sitting at the top of the list, but realistically that one's beyond what we'll get to through donations alone — unless I can talk the company behind it, or a retailer who stocks it, into sponsoring it instead. Watch this space.

🔒 Secure payments via Stripe. No account needed, no obligation — every donation helps get us closer to a real prize on the table.

Jordan

vs

Algeria

Both sides head to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on zero points, making this Group J clash close to must-win for whoever wants to keep their last-32 hopes realistic. Jordan, at their first-ever World Cup, lost 3-1 to Austria but got something to cheer with their first-ever World Cup goal, while Algeria were dismantled by a Lionel Messi hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat to Argentina that put manager Vladimir Petkovic under early pressure back home. Algeria remain heavy favourites on paper, but a flat opener has left them with real questions to answer.

Jordan — Al-Nashama

There were promising signs in defeat against Austria, with Jordan defending for long spells before a set piece and Yazan Al Arab's own goal did the damage rather than any real tactical breakdown. Ali Olwan's strike — the nation's first-ever World Cup goal — and Mousa Al Tamari's general threat in behind give head coach Jamal Sellami something to build on. Sellami is expected to keep the same compact back-three system that lets the wing-backs support the attack and frees Tamari to roam — Jordan defended well as a unit against Austria, so there's little incentive to change the structure now.

The back three of Mohammad Abualnadi, Yazan Al Arab and Saed Al Rosan, and the midfield four in front of them, are predicted to stay unchanged, with goalkeeper Yazid Abulaila continuing between the posts. Up top, Tamari again leads the line as the spearhead of any counter-attacking threat, flanked by Olwan and Odeh Fakhoury — between them they account for the bulk of Jordan's set-piece deliveries, with Tamari and Olwan sharing penalty duties.

Algeria — Les Fennecs

Petkovic has a job on his hands lifting his side after they barely laid a glove on Argentina — shorn of their two most dangerous attackers from the off, Algeria's display drew unflattering comparisons to sides ranked far below them, and the manager will have noted the alarm it caused. There is some encouragement on the fitness front, with Ramy Bensebaini reported to be back to full health after a fitness scare, and Petkovic is predicted to restore both Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amine Amoura to the starting front three after the pair were left out against Argentina — a clear sign the manager wants more genuine difference-makers on the pitch from the off against a Jordan side capable of hurting teams who aren't at their sharpest.

In behind the front three, Hicham Boudaoui, Ibrahim Maza and Nabil Bentaleb are tasked with controlling tempo and supplying Mahrez, Amoura and Fares Chaibi, while Rayan Ait Nouri and Rafik Belghali provide the width from full-back that Algeria will need to break down a side as well-organised as Jordan showed themselves to be against Austria. Luca Zidane continues in goal, with Aissa Mandi alongside Bensebaini at the heart of the defence.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Mousa Al Tamari vs Algeria's full-backs. Jordan's clearest route to a goal is Tamari running in behind as Ait Nouri and Belghali push forward in search of an equally pressing win. If Jordan can win the ball back quickly and release him, his pace and finishing are a genuine threat on the counter — exactly the kind of moment that could drag them back into this group.

Prediction

Algeria have the better individual quality across the pitch and the greater need to put a flat performance right, with Mahrez and Amoura both restored to add some much-needed sharpness. Jordan will make this uncomfortable for periods and carry a real threat through Tamari, but Algeria should have enough in the final third this time to get the win their group situation demands.

Jordan 1–2 Algeria — Tamari — Amoura, Mahrez

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Norway

vs

Senegal

Norway can wrap up qualification from Group I when they host Senegal at the New York New Jersey Stadium late on Monday night. Erling Haaland's brace put Norway top of the group on matchday one, while Senegal pushed France hard before eventually losing 3-1. Opta's pre-tournament model had Norway as the second-most likely side in Group I to progress, behind only France, with Senegal next best and Iraq the rank outsider — a result here would go a long way to confirming that order.

Norway — The Vikings

It was a result that papered over some defensive cracks. Haaland's double either side of a Leo Ostigard header did the damage against Iraq, but Stale Solbakken admitted afterwards that the back line and midfield were poor in possession for long stretches — Kristoffer Ajer in particular endured a difficult night defensively, while David Moller Wolfe had to be withdrawn in the 73rd minute and Julian Ryerson complained of muscular fatigue at full time. Both full-backs have since made swift recoveries and are expected to be available for selection, with Solbakken able to call on his entire squad.

Ostigard's cameo off the bench was a bright spot, and both Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb pushed their case for a recall during the week, but the predicted XI sticks with the same front three of Antonio Nusa, Haaland and Alexander Sorloth that started the opener, with Martin Odegaard — who set a UEFA-high seven assists in qualifying — pulling the strings behind them. Haaland is now on an 11-game scoring streak for his country and, remarkably, had more shots (5) than completed passes (4) against Iraq, the first player to manage that in a World Cup match since Fernando Torres during Spain's triumphant 2010 campaign. This is his first major tournament — Norway's last appearance was Euro 2000, three weeks before he was born.

Senegal — Lions of Teranga

Few changes are expected from the side that gave France a real fright. Ibrahim Mbaye's response to Bradley Barcola's opener made the 18-year-old the youngest African scorer in World Cup history and has him knocking on the door for a start ahead of Ismaila Sarr, but head coach Pape Thiaw — who was an unused substitute when Senegal famously beat France 1-0 at the 2002 World Cup — is predicted to stick with the same front three of Sarr, Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane that started in defeat. Mane, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, arrives in good form after winning the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.

Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye continue to shield the back four, with Kalidou Koulibaly anchoring central defence. A repeat of Senegal's best-ever World Cup showing — the 2002 quarter-final, secured under current boss Thiaw's watch as a player — still feels some way off, but avoiding a fourth straight match without a win (a run last suffered in June 2018, when Senegal weren't even at the World Cup) starts with a result here. The teams' only previous meeting, a 2006 friendly, ended in a 2-1 win for Senegal.

Predicted Lineups

Key Battle

Erling Haaland vs Senegal's central defence. Haaland's shot volume against Iraq says everything about how Norway use him as their central outlet. Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhate will need a far more disciplined collective performance than Senegal showed at times against France if they're to keep him quiet for 90 minutes.

Prediction

Both sides have shown they can be got at defensively, which points toward goals at both ends. Norway's superior firepower and home comforts at the top of the group should just about see them through, but Senegal have enough up top to make this an entertaining watch rather than a rout.

Norway 2–2 Senegal — Haaland, Sorloth — Mane, Jackson

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