Imagine being the most feared striker on the planet…
and watching your team play France from the bench.
That's exactly what's happening to Erling Haaland tonight in Foxborough. ⚽
Norway is already through.
France is already through.
The only thing left to fight for? Top spot in Group I.
And Norway's coach just looked at that prize and said… nah.
Stale Solbakken is benching TEN players from the XI that beat Senegal 3-2.
Only midfielder Fredrik Aursnes survives the cull.
His logic is brutally simple:
"It is 100% certain we will need to be rested for the round of 32 — mentally and physically. We could play 30 minutes of extra time, or penalties. We should not become too greedy. We have to be more smart than greedy."
Here's where it stings for Haaland fans.
The Golden Boot race is right there:
And tonight was supposed to be the duel of the tournament.
Haaland vs Mbappé.
Boston Stadium. Group decider. Two of the three best forwards alive going head-to-head.
Instead? Mbappé starts. Haaland watches. ☕
This is Norway's first World Cup since 1998.
Twenty-eight years of waiting.
A whole generation grew up without seeing Norway at a World Cup.
And now they're not just here — they're already in the round of 32, with the most fearsome No. 9 on Earth leading the line.
Solbakken isn't going to blow that on a group-stage trophy nobody remembers.
Most teams chase every prize in front of them.
The great ones know which prize actually matters.
👉 Finishing top of the group? Nice trophy.
👉 Winning a knockout in extra time with fresh legs? Tournament-defining.
Solbakken is making the choice most coaches are too scared to make.
He's protecting the asset.
He's playing the long game.
And he's telling his squad — including the $200M striker — that the team comes before the highlight reel.
Haaland might lose the Golden Boot tonight.
Norway might lose top spot.
But next week, when extra time hits and penalties loom, every other dressing room will be running on fumes.
Norway will be running on rocket fuel.
That's not greed.
That's strategy.
That's all for now!
