A thousand years ago, Norwegian Vikings would pull in their sails, pick up their oars, and row hard towards shore right before battle. It was called the Viking Row. Last Monday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Erling Haaland scored twice, Norway beat Senegal, and then the entire squad sat down on the pitch and rowed together with 50,000 fans while Martin Ødegaard banged a bongo drum.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia the same evening, Kylian Mbappé had also scored twice for France against Iraq, earned his 100th cap, and broken France's all-time international goalscoring record. He celebrated in a considerably less Viking way.

These two men are, right now, the most exciting footballers on the planet. Both of similar age. Both at their first real World Cup as the main man. Both with four goals in two matches.

The contrast between them is the whole story.

Mbappé is the definition of a modern superstar. Fast, photogenic, plays for Real Madrid, grew up in the Paris suburb of Bondy and turned himself into the most marketable footballer on earth. Haaland, on the other hand, does the Viking Row. He has frequently declared his Norwegian pride, and it shows. After beating Senegal, he stood in front of his fans and rowed with them.

On Friday in Boston, Mbappé and Haaland share a pitch for the first time at this tournament. When asked about Friday's match against France, Haaland shrugged and said: "They're probably going to beat us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament." Then he smiled. He wasn't being modest. He just genuinely didn't seem to care.

His coach put it better than anyone when asked why Haaland is only second in the Golden Boot despite scoring four goals. "It's easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina," Solbakken said.

After scoring his fourth goal, Haaland was asked to reflect on his performance. His answer: "It's my specialty to score goals. I'm just really good at scoring goals."

No brand strategy. No carefully worded statement. Just a very large Norwegian man telling you he scores goals, which you already knew, and then going to sit with his teammates and row.

France versus Norway is essentially a battle between Mbappé vs Haaland. The most polished footballer of his generation against a man who celebrates like his ancestors sailed to lands uninvited.