Saliba and Odegaard Shine in World Cup Knockouts
William Saliba and Martin Odegaard both booked their places in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds on a wild, weather-scarred Monday that left no doubts about their influence on the biggest stage.
Saliba stands firm in France’s storm
In Philadelphia, the rain came down in sheets and the delay dragged on for hours, but France never lost their rhythm – and neither did Saliba.
The centre-back played the full 90 minutes of a 3-0 win over Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium, anchoring a defence that barely gave up a breath of space. He finished with seven defensive interventions and a near-flawless 95% pass completion, knitting France’s play together from the back while the storm raged above.
Up front, Kylian Mbappe did the damage. He struck first in the 14th minute, firing France into an early lead before the heavens properly opened. A two-hour half-time interruption followed as the weather forced both teams back into the dressing rooms.
When the players finally re-emerged, France needed to reassert control. Mbappe did it in nine minutes. His second goal after the restart killed any Iraqi hope, the kind of ruthless moment that turns a tricky night into a procession. Ousmane Dembele then stepped in to add the third, sealing a victory that looked as professional as it was emphatic.
France now sit top of Group I with six points from two games, edging Norway only on goal difference. With Saliba marshalling the back line and Mbappe in this kind of mood, they look every inch a contender.
Odegaard pulls the strings as Norway edge five-goal thriller
While France cruised, Norway had to scrap.
In a breathless 3-2 win over Senegal, Odegaard’s side were forced to ride waves of pressure and cling on to their World Cup future, but they emerged with exactly what they needed: a place in the last 32.
Norway struck first, Marcus Pederson giving them a half-time lead. The pattern seemed set. Then Odegaard sharpened the knife.
Early in the second half, the Norway captain spotted the run everyone else had only half-seen. One incisive through ball, threaded between Senegal’s lines, sent Erling Haaland clear for 2-0. It was the kind of pass that defines him: vision, timing, conviction.
Senegal refused to fold. Ismaila Sarr pulled one back to drag them into the contest, and from there the game opened up. Haaland struck again, Sarr responded with his second, and suddenly every attack felt decisive.
Norway held their nerve. When the whistle went, the release was instant. Odegaard and his teammates celebrated with a full Norwegian viking row routine, a nod to their heritage and a sign of how much this means. They are through, battle-tested and buoyant.
England’s Arsenal core set for Ghana test
Attention now swings to Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions, who face Ghana in a 9pm kick-off with their own ambitions of momentum and control.
Declan Rice is expected to anchor midfield again, with Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze all pushing to deliver back-to-back wins and tighten England’s grip on their group.
With Saliba and Odegaard already safely in the last 32, the stage is set. Can England’s Arsenal contingent make it a clean sweep?
