- Norway vs France: Dembele scores hat-trick as Les Bleus smash Norway 4-1 to finish top of Group I at the 2026 World Cup.
- Norway rested 10 key players, including Erling Haaland, who watched from the bench.
- Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute, doubled France’s lead in the 20th minute and completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute.
Ousmane Dembele scored a 32-minute hat-trick as France dismantled a Haaland-less Norway 4-1 in Boston on Friday night to finish top of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Norway, who might have considered this clash a dead rubber, made 10 changes to their usual starting lineup from their previous outing.
That included sensational striker Erling Haaland, who watched from the bench as his side shipped four goals, the same number he currently has in the top scorer charts.
ALSO READ: Senegal vs Iraq: Lions of Teranga hit Lions of Mesopotamia for five to keep knockout hopes alive
Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute, doubled the lead in the 20th minute and, after Thelo Aasgaard pulled one back, completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute.
The only player to have completed a hat-trick earlier in a World Cup match is Erich Probst, who netted three goals inside the opening 24 minutes for Austria against Czechoslovakia in 1954.
Dembele now has four goals at the tournament after also finding the net in the 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday.
Desire Doue wrapped up the scoring late on as the victory saw France finish the group stage with a perfect nine points. Les Bleus scored 10 goals in three matches and advanced as Group I winners.
France will now remain in the northeastern United States for a last-32 clash against a third-placed finisher at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next Tuesday.
It was an emotionally charged day for Les Bleus, who had to play without coach Didier Deschamps after he returned to France to attend his mother’s funeral. Deschamps, who will step down at the end of the World Cup after 14 years in charge, is expected to rejoin the squad on Saturday.
ALSO READ: Official Norway vs France lineups: Haaland benched as Les Bleus keep faith in Mbappe
Norway, who also saw Jorgen Strand Larsen have a penalty saved, progressed in second place with six points after already securing qualification before this match thanks to victories over Iraq and Senegal.
That explains why coach Stale Solbakken made 10 changes to his starting XI following the 3-2 win over Senegal last time out.
Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard and striker Alexander Sorloth were among the players rested, with Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes the only starter retained.
The regulars are expected to return for the next round, where Norway will face Ivory Coast in Dallas next Tuesday.
France were without Arsenal defender William Saliba, who was rested because of a sore back, so Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix came into the side. Doue, Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni also returned.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026