Dembélé hat-trick fires France to Group I glory
Norway, making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, also progressed to the knockout stage as Group I runners-up despite the defeat.
KATHMANDU: Ousmane Dembélé produced a stunning first-half hat-trick as France thrashed Norway 4-1 to finish top of Group I and advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage with a perfect record.
Playing at Boston Stadium in the United States, France secured their third consecutive victory of the tournament after earlier defeating Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0.
Norway, making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, also progressed to the knockout stage as Group I runners-up despite the defeat.
Dembélé put France ahead in the seventh minute before doubling the lead in the 20th minute. Norway responded almost immediately through Thelo Aasgaard in the 21st minute, but Dembélé completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute to restore France’s two-goal cushion before halftime.
Norway had a chance to narrow the deficit after the break, but Jørgen Strand Larsen failed to convert from the penalty spot in the 50th minute.
France sealed the emphatic victory deep into stoppage time when Désiré Doué added the fourth goal.
In the other Group I match, Senegal defeated Iraq 5-0 to register their first win of the tournament.
France finished atop Group I with a maximum nine points, while Norway claimed second place with six points.
Senegal ended third with three points, and Iraq exited the tournament without earning a single point.
