France concluded their World Cup group stage with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway, thanks to a remarkable first-half hat-trick by Ousmane Dembele. The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s exceptional performance saw him net three goals before halftime, becoming the first player to achieve such a feat at the World Cup since 1994.
The match, held with high stakes, began with France taking early control. Dembele opened the scoring in the 7th minute, followed by two more goals in the 20th and 32nd minutes, effectively dismantling Norway’s defense. Despite Norway’s efforts, including a goal from Thelo Aasgaard, France continued to dominate the game.
Norway had an opportunity to narrow the gap in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. However, France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan made a crucial save against Strand Larsen’s attempt, preserving France’s lead. Another close call for Norway came when Kylian Mbappe’s powerful shot hit the crossbar, adding to the missed opportunities.
As the match drew to a close, Désiré Doué sealed France’s victory with a late goal during stoppage time. This decisive win highlights France’s formidable form as they advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. Meanwhile, Norway is left to regroup and prepare for their next challenge ahead.
Dembele’s standout performance not only secured France’s victory but also underscored the depth of talent within the French squad, adding another offensive threat as they move forward in the competition.