Mbappe outperforms Haaland in shots, touches and chances created.
Tomorrow’s match between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland was billed as the next great football rivalry to follow the two decades of dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, as the superstars from France and Norway get ready to compete at the 2026 World Cup, it’s safe to say that their individual battle hasn’t really taken off as many people had anticipated.
Must Read: World Cup 2026: List of Team Routes to the final
But would this be the time to revive this long-dormant rivalry? Mbappe and Haaland are involved in what looks to be an all-time Golden Boot battle just two games into a World Cup where they have been paired against each other in the same group.
Mbappé vs Haaland Playing formation:
Haaland and Mbappé are also entirely dissimilar as forwards, as the first player is a classic number 9 type who excels by becoming an efficient penalty-box striker or running past defenders for through balls, whereas the second one has had plenty of experience playing as a winger flying down the flanks for Paris Saint-Germain and France due to his lightning speed and powerful shots.
Although Messi and Ronaldo had different styles of play, both of them used to be wingers during the peak of their career when competing against each other in the Clasico, which made it seem as if they were trying to outperform each other all the time.
Mbappé believes that this is why it is impossible to compare him to Haaland. “I did not just play upfront. I played on the left wing and on the right. In all modesty, I don’t think anyone can change positions like that every year and have a good performance at such a high level.”
Champions League:
But their new feud, at least, is able to remain alive due to some high-profile Champions League face-offs between the two in which, undoubtedly, Mbappe emerges victorious more often than not.
Their rivalry started during the Round of 16 in the 2019-20 season when Haaland played for Borussia Dortmund. Haaland’s brace helped his team gain a surprising 2-1 first-leg lead, but PSG managed to reverse the fortunes in the second match and win the tie 3-2 overall. Mbappe was an injury substitution, but he and his teammates mocked Haaland by celebrating like him at the final whistle.
Also Read: List of World Cup 2026 latest Golden Boot standings
The Frenchman then upstaged Haaland once more in the 2024-25 knockout play-off round after they both left their previous clubs, namely PSG and Dortmund, with blockbuster moves – scoring a hat-trick in response to Haaland’s first-leg brace in order to send Real Madrid through in the return game. This time, the injured Haaland could only look at that on the bench.
France vs. Senegal scenarios for Group I
How could France win Group I?
France would win Group I with a win or draw on the final day vs. Norway.
Les Bleus have the slim goal differential advantage, meaning in the event of a tie, they would finish the group on top, with Norway taking second spot. However, a Norway victory would see the Vikings jump into first on nine points, while France finish second on six.
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