Norway 1-4 France: Dembele net hat-trick in first half as Les Bleus finish Group I winners

Ballon d’Or 2025 winner, Ousmane Dembele, found the back of the net three (3) times for France in the first half as the Les Bleus doused Norway 4-1 in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match on Friday 26 June, 2026 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, United States (US).

It was a perfect preliminary campaign for France as they cruised to nine (9) points after winning three (3) games out of three (3).

Both sides were already aware they had clinched their spots in the round of 32 prior to the game, with the Great Warriors of the Cold making a whopping ten (10) changes, with top stars, Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Odegaard, left on the bench.

Within twenty-two (22) seconds, France had launched an attack at goal through Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappe, with his effort striking the bar, but, the Les Bleus continued to mount pressure and netted their opener through Dembele in the 7th minute with Mbappe’s assist.

Once again, in the 20th minute, Mbappe provided for Dembele, who added the second for France, but, Norway quickly pulled one back in the 21st minute through Thelo Aagsaard with Andreas Schjelderup’s assist.

The goal from Aagsaard, who fields for Scottish Premiership Club, Rangers, was not enough to push Norway to a comeback, instead, it infuriated the Les Bleus, who then made it three through Dembele, Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) forward, in the 32nd minute.

Dembele completed his hat-trick after being located by Aurelien Tchouameni’s assist; the Norwegians were then forced to defending as France launched lethal pressure in Boston.

Norway were handed a beautiful chance to net a second just five (5) minutes into the second half, but, Jorgen Strand Larsen’s weak shot from the penalty spot was easily saved by goalkeeper, Mike Maignan.

France then sealed their victory with the fourth from PSG attacking midfielder, Desire Doue’s header in the 4th minute of additional time from Bradley Barcola’s cross.

On the other side of Group I, Senegal are waiting to know if they scaled through to the round of 32 after a 5-0 whitewash of Iraq on Friday night at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada.

France are Group I winners with nine (9) points, Norway are second with six (6) points, while, Senegal and Iraq are third and fourth with three (3) and zero (0) points respectively, with the Lions of Mesopotamia knocked out of the tournament.

Results:

Photo: Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring the opener early for France in the last FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match against Norway on Friday in Boston, US