Ousmane Dembélé needed only 32 minutes to make France’s World Cup match against Norway feel settled, his first-half hat-trick driving a 4-1 win that sealed top spot in Group I.
The result was built on pressure that showed in the numbers as much as the scoreline. France had 57% possession, produced 17 shots to Norway’s 10, and doubled the home side’s shots on target, 8 to 4.
Dembélé crushes Norway before half-time
France were ahead after seven minutes, when Dembélé struck the first blow of a devastating opening spell. His second arrived in the 20th minute, turning an already lopsided start into a statistical and scoreboard advantage.
Norway answered immediately through T. Aasgaard in the 21st minute, briefly cutting the gap to 2-1. But Dembélé removed any sense of recovery in the 32nd minute, completing his hat-trick and sending France into half-time 3-1 up.
France control numbers as Norway fade
Norway’s task became heavier in the 50th minute when J. Larsen was sent off, and France’s territorial control kept tightening. The away side edged corners 5-4, completed far more passing volume, 470 to 335, and kept forcing Norway into long spells without the ball.
The discipline line stayed close, with one yellow card each and fouls at 10-9, but the attacking gap was far clearer. D. Doué added France’s fourth in the 90th minute, giving the scoreline the finish their chance creation had threatened.
France seize Group I as Norway advance
France finish the group stage ranked first with nine points from three wins, no draws and no defeats. Norway remain second on six points, advancing despite a final-night defeat that exposed defensive strain after a productive attacking group campaign.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup; Date & Time: Friday 26 June 2026, 21:00 CET; Venue: Gillette Stadium, Boston; Referee: Michael Oliver, England.
