France concluded their World Cup group stage with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway, propelled by Ousmane Dembele’s remarkable first-half hat-trick. The Paris Saint-Germain forward showcased his exceptional skill, netting three goals before halftime, a feat that made him the first player since 1994 to achieve a World Cup first-half hat-trick. Dembele’s goals came in the 7th, 20th, and 32nd minutes, swiftly dismantling Norway’s defense and setting the tone for France’s dominance.
Although Norway managed to pull one back through Thelo Aasgaard, France maintained their grip on the match throughout. An opportunity arose for the Norwegians to close the gap further when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half. However, France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan delivered a crucial save, thwarting Strand Larsen’s attempt and preserving France’s lead.
Kylian Mbappe added to the pressure on Norway’s defense with a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar, narrowly missing a goal. As the game neared its conclusion, Désiré Doué sealed France’s victory with a goal during stoppage time, further solidifying the team’s impressive performance.
This decisive win ensures France enters the knockout stage with strong momentum. Dembele’s outstanding display has introduced an additional attacking threat to an already formidable French squad. Meanwhile, Norway must regroup and prepare for their next challenge, reflecting on a match where they were largely outplayed by a dominant French side.