Dembele's Hat-trick Seals Top Spot for France Over Norway Reserves in World Cup Group Stage

Ousmane Dembele netted a rapid-fire hat-trick, securing a dominant 4-1 victory for France over a significantly altered Norway side and clinching the top spot in Group I for the 2026 World Cup. The pre-match anticipation of a clash between stars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland evaporated with Norway's team selection.

Norway's manager, Stale Solbakken, opted to rest 10 players, including star striker Haaland, after securing two prior group wins. This decision paved the way for Dembele to shine, delivering the second-fastest hat-trick in men's World Cup history within just 32 minutes. His performance marked the first time a player scored three goals in the first half of a World Cup match since 1994 and was second only to Erich Probst's 24-minute treble in 1954.

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Ballon d’Or winner squared up his marker and slammed home past Egil Selvik.

France, managed by assistant coach Guy Stephan as Didier Deschamps had returned home following his mother's passing, asserted early dominance. Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute after Mbappe set him up. He doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a curling shot on a swift counter-attack. Norway briefly pulled a goal back through Thelo Aasgaard just 79 seconds later, but Dembele completed his hat-trick with another left-footed strike, bringing his tournament tally to four goals.

Despite a missed penalty by Norway's Strand Larsen and a saved effort by Bobb, France extended their lead in stoppage time with a header from Desire Doue. Dembele was substituted in the 65th minute as the game's tempo slowed after halftime.

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Again he cut on to his left foot and, with four surrounding defenders paralysed by fear, curled another effort past Norway reserve keeper Selvik.