Dembélé’s Hat-Trick Performance
France secured the top position in their World Cup 2026 group following a 4-1 victory against Norway. The match, held at Boston Stadium, saw Ousmane Dembélé score a hat-trick, contributing significantly to France’s win. Dembélé’s performance included goals in the seventh, 20th, and 32nd minutes of the game. His three goals in the first half were a key factor in establishing France’s lead.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s hat-trick is among the earliest recorded in World Cup history. Only Erich Probst, who scored three goals within the first 24 minutes for Austria against Czechoslovakia in 1954, achieved a hat-trick earlier in a World Cup match. Dembélé’s goals in this match bring his tournament total to four, having also scored in France’s 3-0 win over Iraq.
Dembélé’s first goal came after Kylian Mbappé released him, allowing him to cut in from the right and fire past goalkeeper Egil Selvik. His second goal was a low shot curled into the far corner. After Thelo Aasgaard scored for Norway, Dembélé completed his hat-trick with another curled shot into the same bottom corner, this time from inside the area. His impactful display from the right flank was noted as a significant factor in the match.
The match also saw Desire Doue complete the scoring for France late in the game. This victory allowed France to conclude the group stage with a maximum of nine points, having scored 10 goals across their three matches. They advance as the winners of Group I.
Team Line-ups and Preparations
Norway, who had already secured their progress to the next round with wins over Iraq and Senegal, made 10 changes to their starting lineup for this match. Key players such as Erling Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard, and striker Alexander Sorloth were rested. Fredrik Aursnes of Benfica was the only player retained from their previous match against Senegal.
For France, coach Didier Deschamps was absent from the match, having returned to France for his mother’s funeral. Assistant coach Guy Stephan oversaw the team. Deschamps is expected to rejoin the squad on Saturday. France was also without Arsenal defender William Saliba, who was resting a sore back; Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace replaced him. Doue, Theo Hernandez, and Aurelien Tchouameni all returned to the lineup.
Despite the changes, Dembélé and Mbappé both retained their places in the starting XI. Mbappé earned his 101st cap during the game. Norway had an opportunity to reduce France’s lead in the second half when Oscar Bobb earned a penalty, but Jorgen Strand Larsen’s spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Looking Ahead in the Tournament
With their win, France will remain in the northeastern United States for their last-32 tie. They are scheduled to play a third-place finisher at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next Tuesday. Dembélé expressed the team’s focus on winning every match and their anticipation for the upcoming, more crucial stages of the tournament.
Norway will face Ivory Coast in Dallas next Tuesday. Their decision to rest key players in this match suggests a strategic approach to the later stages of the competition. The team’s progress to the knockout stage was already secured before this game, allowing for the rotation of their squad.
The match was described as a free-flowing game, with France’s attack proving difficult for Norway’s defense to contain. The early goals from Dembélé set the tone for France’s dominant performance, ensuring their advancement as group leaders. The team’s strong offensive display, with 10 goals scored in three games, highlights their form as they move into the knockout rounds.
Read Also
Source: aljazeera.com
