World Cup 2026: France tops Group I with perfect record; Senegal keeps knockout hopes alive

France secured first place in Group I of the 2026 World Cup, defeating Norway 4-1 in their final group stage match. Ousmane Dembele was the star of the game, scoring a hat-trick, while Desire Doue added a fourth goal for the French side. Norway's lone goal came from Thelo Aasgaard.

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France tops Group I of the 2026 World Cup after defeating Norway in their final group stage match at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, on Friday local time.

France's victory ensured they finished with a perfect nine points from three matches. Kylian Mbappé provided key assists, setting up Dembele for his first two goals. Despite a penalty miss by Norway's Jorgen Strand Larsen and saves from French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, France maintained control of the match.

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This victory puts France in first place in the final standings of Group I of the 2026 World Cup with nine points from three matches.

In the same group, Senegal kept their hopes of advancing to the round of 32 alive with a dominant 5-0 win against Iraq. Goals from Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye (two), and Iliman Ndiaye propelled Senegal to third place in the standings with three points. Iraq finished at the bottom of Group I with no points, despite playing with 10 men for most of the match after Rebin Sulaka received a red card.

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Senegal, meanwhile, maintained their hopes of advancing to the round of 32 after crushing Iraq 5-0 in their Group I match at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday local time.