The Japan Times - Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group decider

Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering form, neck-and-neck on four goals apiece in the race for the Golden Boot, just behind leader Lionel Messi on five.

On Friday the two forwards will meet in a heavyweight collision at Foxborough, outside Boston at 3:00 pm local time (2000 GMT), with top spot in the group up for grabs.

France, who looked majestic in swatting aside Senegal and Iraq, hold a slight advantage, with their superior goal difference meaning Les Bleus need only a draw to clinch first place in the group.

But the Norwegians have been equally impressive, routing Iraq 4-1 in their opener before beating Senegal 3-2 on Monday.

Haaland, playing in his first World Cup, has revelled in the global spotlight, playing with a swashbuckling gusto that could well ask hard questions of even France's experienced defence.

The 25-year-old has also embraced the tournament off the pitch, delighted at his ability to go sightseeing in New York City in relative anonymity.

After clinching a place in the last 32 with the win over Senegal, Haaland insisted he was nonplussed at the prospect of facing France -- who he regards as favourites for the tournament -- and laughed off suggestions that Norway were title contenders.

"To win the World Cup, absolutely not," he told Fox television.

"We've won 12 competitive games in a row now. I'm part of something special, making history, and I'm extremely proud to be Norwegian," adding that he "couldn't care" about playing France.

"They're probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament," he said.

- Deschamps blow -

France and Mbappe's preparations for the game have been disrupted by the departure of manager Didier Deschamps from the team's camp this week following the death of his mother.

Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge of the team until Deschamps returns.

"I am thinking a lot about Didier and his family," Stephan said. "I am just trying to make a difficult situation as normal as possible."

France though will be eager to avoid a slip-up, knowing that finishing second in the group gives them a potentially more hazardous path to the July 19 final.

A defeat would set up a last 32 clash with Ivory Coast, before a potential meeting with Brazil in the last 16. England could potentially lie in wait in the quarter-finals, with Argentina seeded to be their opponents in the semi-final.

In other games on Friday, Spain will aim to clinch top spot in Group H with a potentially awkward clash with Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Uruguayans will need to take at least a point from the fixture to have a chance of progressing to the last 32 after being held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Cape Verde in their second game.

Spain will clinch first place in the group with a draw.

Minnows Cape Verde meanwhile will attempt to continue their fairytale campaign with a victory over Saudi Arabia.

In Group G, Egypt will attempt to clinch top spot with victory over Iran in Seattle in a game that has been laced with controversy.

Friday's game is part of city-wide events to celebrate Pride in Seattle, and was designated as the "Pride Match" by local officials before the identities of the teams involved was known.

Iranian and Egyptian officials have both raised objections to the Seattle Pride celebrations around their fixture.

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran under Islamic law and can be punishable by death. In Egypt, homosexuality is often penalized under vaguely worded laws prohibiting "debauchery."

In the other Group G game, Belgium's ageing squad featuring Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku will attempt to reach the knockout rounds with a victory over New Zealand.

T.Ikeda--JT