Ousmane Dembélé’s stunning 32-minute hat-trick inspired France to a 4-1 victory over Norway, ensuring Les Bleus top Group I with a flawless record.
Ousmane Dembélé took center stage at Gillette Stadium on Friday, delivering a devastating first-half masterclass to maintain France’s flawless start to the 2026 World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain winger struck a sublime 32-minute hat-trick to defeat Norway 4-1, ensuring Didier Deschamps’ side cruised into the knockout rounds as Group I winners.
With Norway manager Ståle Solbakken electing to rest talismanic duo Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, the Scandinavian side lacked the firepower to counter France’s early intensity. Yet, it was Norway who fashioned the game’s first clear opening on fifteen minutes, as Jørgen Strand Larsen rolled Dayot Upamecano inside the penalty box, only to lift his effort over the crossbar.
France punished that wastefulness immediately, orchestrated by a rampant Dembélé. The winger routinely bypassed the Norwegian backline with frightening ease, combining lethal balance with clinical execution. For his standout effort, Dembélé latched onto a precise pass from Kylian Mbappé defense-splitting before shifting inside to fire past Egil Selvik.
By the interval, Dembélé’s treble had effectively settled the contest. While Norway’s numerous substitutions aimed at equalizing in the second half, the damage inflicted by the French attacker in the opening 45 minutes proved irreversible.
The victory solidifies France’s positioning as formidable tournament favorites, allowing them to march into the round of 32 with three wins from three.
Despite the defeat, Norway’s previous performances carry them through to the knockout phase as group runners-up, though Solbakken will know his rested superstars must hit the ground running if they are to progress any further.