Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé set for World Cup duel of double scorers | OneFootball

Norway v France doubles as Erling Haaland v Kylian Mbappé. Despite doubt over the Norwegian starting, he will get minutes in Foxborough on Friday at 21:00. Both arrive on two braces, qualification already secured, and as undoubted leaders.

Their rivalry is sparse, only three meetings. It began in the 2019 Champions League last-16, Paris SG v Borussia Dortmund finished 1-2 then 2-0. Only one direct City v Real duel followed in February 2025, Haaland scored twice, Mbappé once, and Real won. Alfe Inge Haaland told RMC recently the pair drive each other and that the duel could be compelling for years.

Last autumn, alongside Harry Kane, they looked locked in a Golden Shoe chase. On 10 December, Haaland had 16 Premier League goals, one more than Mbappé in La Liga and one fewer than Kane in the Bundesliga.

Kane finished with 61 goals in all competitions, ahead of Mbappé on 42 and Haaland on 38, after frustrating springs, Real ending without a trophy and City letting the league slip. This World Cup is a chance to close 2025-26 well, Mbappé aiming for the title and Haaland debuting, Norway back for the first time since 1998.

Numbers from their club seasons underline contrasting styles, with Mbappé often in the left half-space and Haaland a box focal point, 27% of his touches there against 17% for the Frenchman. Both have been clinical, with 60.5% and 61.4% of shots on target respectively, figures they could flaunt again on Friday.

Source: L'Équipe