France underlined their status as one of the favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway, finishing Group I with a perfect record and sending a powerful message to the rest of the tournament.
While Kylian Mbappe has dominated many of the headlines throughout the competition, this night belonged entirely to Ousmane Dembele. The Ballon d’Or winner produced a sensational first-half hat-trick, writing his name into World Cup history and leading Les Bleus to another emphatic victory.
Match Summary
France wasted little time imposing themselves on the contest.
Kylian Mbappe struck the crossbar inside the opening minutes before Dembele took complete control of the game.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward opened the scoring with a powerful right-footed finish before adding two superb left-footed strikes, completing a remarkable first-half hat-trick that left Norway with no route back into the match.
The Scandinavian side, who rested several key players including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, improved slightly after the break but never seriously threatened a comeback.
Mike Maignan preserved France’s comfortable advantage by saving Jorgen Strand Larsen’s penalty before Desire Doue added a late fourth goal to complete another dominant French performance.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Norway | France |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 1 | 4 |
| Group Finish | 2nd | 1st |
| Points | 6 | 9 |
| Qualification | Round of 32 | Round of 32 |
Dembele Makes World Cup History
The evening belonged to Ousmane Dembele.
His three first-half goals made him the first French footballer ever to score a first-half hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup match.
It was also the first first-half World Cup hat-trick by any player since Oleg Salenko achieved the feat for Russia against Cameroon in 1994.
Dembele demonstrated his complete attacking ability throughout the performance.
He opened the scoring with his stronger right foot before adding two outstanding curled finishes with his left, highlighting the technical quality that has made him one of the world’s finest attackers.
Even more impressively, his third goal capped a move involving every French outfield player, showcasing the exceptional teamwork behind France’s attacking brilliance.
France Continue to Look Like Tournament Favourites
France have combined attacking flair with defensive solidity throughout the group stage.
Mbappe remains one of the tournament’s leading scorers, Dembele has now produced one of the performances of the competition, while the midfield and defence continue to provide the platform for Guy Stephan’s side.
Even without head coach Didier Deschamps on the touchline, Les Bleus delivered another complete display that reinforced their credentials as genuine title contenders.
Their squad depth, tactical flexibility and world-class attacking options make them one of the most dangerous teams remaining in the tournament.
Player of the Match
🏆 Ousmane Dembele (France)
A flawless attacking display.
Three first-half goals, history made, and constant danger whenever he touched the ball. It was one of the standout individual performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far.
What Comes Next?
France advance to the Round of 32 as Group I winners and will face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, with Paraguay, Sweden, Egypt, Belgium, Iran or New Zealand all possible opponents.
Norway also progress after finishing second in the group and now prepare for a challenging knockout clash against Ivory Coast, with the winner set to face either Brazil or Japan in the Round of 16.
Final Verdict
France completed a flawless group-stage campaign in emphatic fashion.
Led by Ousmane Dembele’s record-breaking hat-trick, Les Bleus showcased the quality, confidence and attacking depth expected from one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
If this performance is any indication, France will take some stopping as the knockout rounds begin.
