Massachusetts, June 27 -- Following his side's loss to France in their final FIFA World Cup league stage match, Norway striker Erling Haaland defended his coach Stale Solbakken's decision to rest 10 players, including key players like himself, saying that "France was a better team anyway".

After sealing a round of 32 spot with two wins in their first two games, coach Stale made 10 changes to the Norway line-up, resting superstars like Haaland and Martin Odegaard. His tactic to give players some rest before the knockouts met with criticism, but Haaland, who had scored two braces in two games before being benched, defended his coach.

Frederik Aursnes turned out to be the only one to keep his place from the previous match.

As quoted to De...