By Daily Review Online
France secured top spot in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway on Friday night, inspired by a first-half hat-trick from Ousmane Dembele at Boston Stadium.
The French winger was in scintillating form, scoring three times before halftime as Les Bleus dominated proceedings. Desire Doue added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time to seal an emphatic win.
France almost took the lead inside the opening minute when Kylian Mbappe struck the woodwork. Their breakthrough came in the seventh minute as Dembele weaved past defenders before firing past goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
The Paris Saint-Germain star doubled both his tally and France’s advantage in the 20th minute, curling a superb left-footed effort into the net after a swift counterattack.
Norway responded immediately through Thelo Aasgaard, who created space with a clever dummy before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Dembele completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute, producing another clinical left-footed finish after creating space inside the penalty area. It was the first first-half hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup since Oleg Salenko achieved the feat for Russia in 1994.
Norway, who rested several key players including Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth, pushed harder after the break and were handed a lifeline when they won a penalty. However, France goalkeeper Mike Maignan denied Jorgen Strand Larsen from the spot before making another excellent save to keep out Oscar Bobb.
France wrapped up the victory in stoppage time when Bradley Barcola delivered a cross for Desire Doue, who headed home to make it 4-1.
The victory saw France finish first in Group I, while Norway advanced to the knockout stage in second place. Senegal claimed third place after defeating Iraq 5-0, with Iraq finishing bottom of the group.
France will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the Round of 16, while Norway will take on Ivory Coast.