Ousmane Dembele scored a brilliant first-half hat-trick as France defeated Norway 4-1 to finish top of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward found the net three times in just 32 minutes, recording the second-fastest hat-trick from the start of a men’s World Cup match. It was also the first first-half World Cup hat-trick since 1994.
France took the lead in the seventh minute when Dembele finished confidently after a pass from captain Kylian Mbappe. He doubled the advantage with a curling strike in the 20th minute before completing his treble with another superb left-footed finish before halftime.
Norway briefly responded through Thelo Aasgaard, who scored less than two minutes after France’s second goal. However, the visitors struggled to recover after Dembele restored France’s three-goal cushion.
Desire Doue sealed the victory in stoppage time with a looping header to make it 4-1.
France assistant coach Guy Stephan, who took charge after Didier Deschamps returned home following the death of his mother, praised Dembele’s response to recent criticism and described his performance as exceptional.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken rested several key players, including Erling Haaland, after his side had already secured qualification from their opening two matches.
France now head into the knockout stage as Group I winners, while Norway also progress after finishing second in the group.
