In a dazzling display of skill, Ousmane Dembele propelled France to a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway in their final World Cup group stage match, marking a significant moment with his first-half hat-trick. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was in exceptional form, scoring three times within the first 32 minutes to dismantle Norway’s defense and etch his name in history books as the first player since 1994 to achieve such a feat in a World Cup first half.
France’s dominance was apparent from the opening whistle, with Dembele quickly finding the back of the net in the 7th minute, followed by goals in the 20th and 32nd minutes. Although Norway managed to strike back through Thelo Aasgaard, the French team maintained their grip on the game. The Norwegian side had a glimmer of hope early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty, but France’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, thwarted Strand Larsen’s attempt, preserving France’s lead.
The action did not stop there, as Kylian Mbappe almost added to the scoreline with a thunderous shot that rattled the crossbar. Meanwhile, Désiré Doué sealed France’s triumph with a goal during stoppage time, further cementing the team’s strong performance as they advance to the knockout stages.
The match showcased France’s formidable form, leaving Norway to regroup and prepare for their upcoming challenges. Dembele’s standout performance not only highlighted his individual talent but also underscored the depth of attacking options available to the French squad as they continue their World Cup journey.