Full-time in France v Norway
That’s it in Boston. France finish the group stage with a 4-1 victory after Desire Doue struck in the fourth minute of injury time.
France are deserved winners of this group, and we have seen little to suggest they won’t be there when the tournament gets down to its final stages.
They have class everywhere, a proven pedigree and a depth of quality players that means anything is possible.
Oh yeah, they also have Mbappe and Dembele.
Full-time: France 4 – 1 Norway
Full-time in Toronto
Senegal fans wanted that to last forever, while Iraqi fans were relieved to hear that final whistle.
It’s all over in Toronto, and Senegal have recorded a 5-0 win in a one-sided match. As soon as Iraq went down to 10 players, an already difficult job became a near-impossible task.
Senegal are well in the running to make it through to the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Full-time: Senegal 5 -0 Iraq
France get another goal in the final minutes
France aren’t finished yet. There are five minutes of additional time at the end of this match and in the fourth, Desire Doue gets another goal for France.
He receives the ball after a cross from Bradley Barcola and then heads it into the bottom-right corner of the box.
The match will end with that scoreline, a 4-1 win over Norway to close out a brilliant group stage for a team who are what many consider to be tournament favourites.
France 4-1 Norway, full-time
Senegal are putting on a show
That’s five goals now for Senegal, and the fifth was every bit as good as the previous two from Papa Gueye.
This time it was Iliman Ndiaye with a powerful strike that left Iraq’s substitute keeper Jalal Hassan clutching at thin air.
The last three goals from Senegal have been as good a trio as you’d ever hope to see. Iraqi fans might not like this highlight reel, but everyone else will.
Senegal 5-0 Iraq, 84 minutes
Papa Gueye at it again
That’s two stunning goals in 12 minutes from Senegal substitute Papa Gueye. After finding himself unmarked at the top of the penalty box, he blasted the ball home with a shot that no keeper in the world would have saved.
Pure entertainment aside, what those goals have done is drastically boost Senegal’s standing on the table of teams battling to reach the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Senegal now have a goal difference of +1. That could well be enough.
Senegal 4-0 Iraq, 75 minutes
Senegal lead 3-0 after two quick goals
After a horrible mix-up at the back from the Iraqi defence, Ismaila Sarr was presented with a relatively simple tap-in to give his side a second goal.
Then, within three minutes or so of play resuming, substitute Pape Gueye produced a stunning strike with his first touch to make the lead 3-0. You’ll see that goal replayed numerous times in the coming days.
Gueye had been on the field for a total of 89 seconds before he produced a piece of magic.
If Iraq don’t regain their composure, this could quickly get further out of hand.
Senegal 3-0 Iraq, 59 minutes
Norway win a penalty kick but Maignan makes the save
Things are looking up for Norway already when they win a penalty just three minutes after the match restarts for the second half.
It’s conceded by Theo Hernandez who leaves his leg out in front of Oscar Bobb without making contact with the ball and trips Bobb in the process.
Without Haaland or Martin Odegaard, the penalty is taken by Jorgen Strand Larsen. He lines up, makes a slow run and hits the ball with his right foot aiming for the bottom-right corner of the goal, but it’s saved by Mike Maignan who pushes it away!
That looked too easy for Maignan and France are making Norway look like small fry.
France 3-1 Norway, 50 minutes
Second halves under way
Both matches have returned after the half-time break. Senegal are looking to score more goals against just 10 Iraq men to improve their chance of qualifying as a best third-placed team, while Norway may try to get some back against France.
If you’re up this early, let us know which match you’re watching:
Half-time in Toronto
It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but Iraq have looked a bit better since they went down to 10 players. Yes, Senegal still have the upper hand, but the flow of goals that looked likely after the first 15 minutes of this contest hasn’t materialised.
It looks as though Iraq could play the role of spoiler during the second 45 minutes of this contest. Senegal need more goals to boost their chances of making it to the round of 32. Conceding a goal would be problematic.
Senegal 1-0 Iraq, half-time
Half-time in France v Norway
That’s it for the first half in France v Norway as a brilliant display of football from Dembele puts France up 3-1.
Fans will hope some of Norway’s stars will come off the bench in the second half but neither side need to win this match as both will progress to the next round.
France 3-1 Norway, half-time
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
