Ousmane Dembele Scores Hat-Trick as France Beat Norway 4-1 to Finish Group Stage Perfectly
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Ousmane Dembele produced a standout performance by scoring a first-half hat-trick as France secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Norway in their final FIFA World Cup group-stage match on Friday.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward found the net three times within the opening 32 minutes, helping France complete the group stage with three consecutive wins and a perfect nine-point record. Desire Doue added a late fourth goal to seal another impressive result for Les Bleus.
Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute after being set up by captain Kylian Mbappe. He doubled France’s lead midway through the first half with a well-placed finish before completing his hat-trick shortly after Norway briefly reduced the deficit through Thelo Aasgaard.
The quick-fire treble places Dembele among a select group of players to score a World Cup hat-trick, becoming only the third French footballer to achieve the feat after Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappe.
France finished the group stage with 10 goals scored in three matches while conceding just once. The team will now face a third-place qualifier in the Round of 32 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The victory came during an emotional period for the French squad. Head coach Didier Deschamps was absent after returning to France to attend his mother’s funeral. He is expected to rejoin the team before the knockout rounds.
Norway had already secured qualification before the match and rested several key players, including Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth. Head coach Stale Solbakken made significant changes to his starting lineup with an eye on the knockout stage.
France also rotated part of its squad, with Maxence Lacroix replacing William Saliba in defense, while Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni and Desire Doue returned to the starting eleven.
Norway had an opportunity to narrow the margin early in the second half after Oscar Bobb won a penalty, but Jorgen Strand Larsen’s spot-kick was comfortably saved by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Doue completed the scoring in stoppage time with a well-taken header, ensuring France entered the knockout rounds with strong momentum and confidence.
Norway, who finished second in Group I with six points, will now prepare for a Round of 32 clash against Ivory Coast, while France continues its quest for another World Cup title.
