France delivered a statement performance when it mattered most. Inspired by a breathtaking first-half hat-trick from Ousmane Dembele, Les Bleus brushed aside Norway 4-1 in Boston to finish top of Group I, reinforcing their status as one of the favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dembele stole the headlines with the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history, reaching his treble inside 32 minutes. Yet this was more than an individual masterclass. It was another reminder of the frightening attacking depth France possess as the knockout rounds begin.
The contest had been billed as a showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, but Norway manager Stale Solbakken stunned supporters by making 10 changes to his starting line-up, leaving both Haaland and Martin Odegaard on the bench. His decision reflected a long-term view of the tournament rather than a winner-takes-all approach.
“The only argument for not doing what we did is that the fans around Norway and here could have seen Erling and Martin,” Solbakken explained. “But then it wouldn’t be a long World Cup, and that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to go as far as possible.”
France needed little invitation. Mbappe rattled the crossbar after just 22 seconds before combining brilliantly with Dembele for the opening goal. The pair linked up again 13 minutes later as Dembele curled another superb finish into the far corner.
Norway briefly responded through Thelo Aasgaard, but the celebrations had barely settled before Dembele completed his hat-trick. His third goal capped a flowing 17-pass move involving every French outfield player, highlighting both technical quality and tactical patience.
The second half lacked the same chaos, but France remained firmly in control. Mike Maignan preserved their two-goal cushion by saving Jorgen Strand Larsen’s penalty, becoming the first French goalkeeper to stop a World Cup penalty in normal time since 1986. Desire Doue then completed the scoring in stoppage time with a looping header.
With Didier Deschamps absent following the death of his mother, assistant coach Guy Stephan praised Dembele’s response to recent criticism. “Ousmane is a human being. Just like anyone, he can hear the criticism,” Stephan said. “Three goals in a World Cup game is exceptional.”
Mbappe did not score, but he still produced two assists and now boasts 20 World Cup goal involvements since his debut in 2018, more than any other player in that period. Alongside Dembele, who now has four goals in the tournament, France have discovered a partnership capable of unsettling any defence.
The statistics also offer encouragement. France have won all three group matches at a World Cup for only the second time. The last occasion came in 1998, when they lifted the trophy on home soil.
Norway now turn their attention to the knockout stage, where a refreshed Haaland is expected to return. France, meanwhile, head into the last 32 with confidence soaring and a warning sent to every remaining contender.
