Odegaard and Saliba start World Cup with wins | International | News
Martin Odegaard and William Saliba started their World Cup campaigns in winning style as Martin’s Norway thrashed Iraq 4-1 and Wilo’s France beat Senegal 3-1 in a thrilling contest.
Wilo started alongside Dayot Upamecano in defence for a France side looking to reach their third-consecutive World Cup final, while Martin made his tournament debut as Norway played their first game at a World Cup since 1998.
France overpower Senegal
Les Blues beat Croatia 4-2 to secure the 2018 title, before losing on penalties to Argentina at the same stage in Qatar four years ago, so they know a thing or two about winning World Cup games.
The two-time World champions were frustrated by Senegal in the first half of their Group I contest, but took the lead midway through the second half thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s neat finish on a tight angle, before Bradley Barcola doubled the lead with a delightful chip from Michael Olise’s sensational through ball.
Senegal thought they’d found a route back into the game when Ibrahim Mbaye hammered the ball into the back of the French net, but Mbappe secured the points for his country just moments later with a sublime strike from 31 yards.
Wilo started in central defence, as he usually does for France, and kept the African side quiet for the majority of the game as the 2018 winners began their bid for a third title in style.
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Norway mark return with big win
28 years on from their last World Cup game, Norway delivered the result their hoards of travelling fans had been yearning for.
Erling Haaland’s first-half double, either side of Aymen Hussein’s header for Iraq, ensured the Vikings went in at half-time with the lead they deserved.
With 15 minutes to go in an end-to-end contest, Martin registered his first goal contribution of the tournament, as his precisely-delivered corner was headed home by Leo Ostigard to put Norway in control.
Not satisfied with a two-goal lead, Martin’s side continued to push after he was withdrawn in the 81st-minute, and made it four when Hussein, who had equalised for Iraq in the first half, deflected Haaland’s header into his own net to round off an impressive Norway performance.
England quartet set for opener
The first round of group stage matches is almost at its conclusion, but before focus turns to matchday two, there’s the small matter of England’s opening game against Croatia at 9pm (UK) tonight.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are all in the Three Lions squad to face Croatia in a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, before Ghana face Panama three hours later in the other Group L game.
Before England get underway, Portugal face Congo DR in their opening game of the tournament, in a group which will also see Colombia take on tournament-debutants Uzbekistan.
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