Dembélé scores rapid hat-trick as France routs Norway in World Cup qualifier

Ousmane Dembélé netted a remarkable hat-trick in just 32 minutes, powering France to a dominant 4-1 victory against Norway and securing their top spot in Group I of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This explosive performance comes just nine days after Lionel Messi's own hat-trick for Argentina.

Dembélé, who had previously struggled to score in World Cups, broke his personal drought earlier in the tournament against Iraq. His three goals against Norway, scored in the first 65 minutes of the match, marked his most significant contribution to date. The French forward's rapid scoring spree is now etched in World Cup history, standing as the second-fastest hat-trick ever recorded, trailing only Erich Probst's 24-minute feat in 1954.

Assisted by teammate Kylian Mbappé on his first two goals, Dembélé showcased his attacking prowess. His first goal came early, a precise right-footed shot into the far post after a skillful dribble. The second was a powerful left-footed strike, also finding the far corner. After Norway pulled one back, Dembélé completed his treble with another clinical finish, demonstrating his ability to find the net from various angles and situations.

With this performance, Dembélé joins an elite group of players, including Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Erling Haaland, who have scored multiple goals in the tournament. His four goals in three matches place him just one behind the current top scorer, Lionel Messi.