FIFA World Cup 2026: Dembele Hat-trick Leads France to 4-1 Win over Norway
France secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Ousmane Dembele scoring a first-half hat-trick. Having already qualified, France topped Group I and is likely to face Sweden in the next round, while Norway will take on Ivory Coast.
Highlights
- •France defeated Norway 4-1 to finish at the top of their group.
- •Ousmane Dembele scored a spectacular first-half hat-trick for France.
- •Norway rested key players, including Erling Haaland, ahead of the knockout stage.
- •France is expected to play Sweden in the Round of 32.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 witnessed a spectacular performance by France, as they solidified their dominance in Group I with a convincing victory. The French squad, having already secured their place in the next round, delivered a high-octane display to defeat Norway 4-1 on Saturday, marking a triumphant conclusion to their group-stage campaign.
The match at the Boston Stadium began with immediate intensity. Just 25 seconds into the game, captain Kylian Mbappe rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike, setting the tone for the encounter. Shortly after, in the seventh minute, Mbappe provided an exceptional through ball that reached Ousmane Dembele. The Ballon d'Or winner made no mistake, firing the ball into the net to give France an early lead.
Dembele Leads France to Dominant Victory
Ousmane Dembele remained the focal point of the French attack, demonstrating why he is considered one of the elite players in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Before the halftime whistle, the 29-year-old doubled the lead with a precisely angled shot. Although Norway, who had already qualified in second place and opted to rest ten of their primary starters including star striker Erling Haaland, briefly fought back through a goal from Thelo Aasgaard, France remained in complete control.
By the 32nd minute, Dembele completed a remarkable first-half hat-trick, further cementing his impact on the tournament. The second half saw continued pressure from the French side. Norway had a golden opportunity to close the gap when Jorgen Strand Larsen was awarded a penalty five minutes after the restart, but the shot was successfully saved.
In the final stages of the match, Desire Doue added a fourth goal for France during stoppage time, finalizing the 4-1 scoreline. While the identities of their opponents for the Round of 32 will only be confirmed once all group matches conclude on Saturday, France is currently projected to face Sweden. Meanwhile, Norway is preparing for their upcoming knockout stage clash against Ivory Coast, scheduled to take place in Dallas on June 30.
