Ousmane Dembélé Hat Trick Powers France Past Norway at the World Cup
June 26, 2026
Ousmane Dembélé scored a first-half hat trick as France reinforced their status as World Cup favorites with a convincing 4-1 victory over Norway in Group I. The win, which included a late headed goal from Désiré Doué, secured France’s place in the round of 32 as group winners.
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken made ten changes to his lineup, resting star striker Erling Haaland, which left the side looking half-strength. Despite a brief moment of hope when Thelo Aasgaard pulled one back to make it 2-1, France stayed in control. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan even saved a penalty from Jørgen Strand Larsen to preserve the comfortable margin.
France will now face a third-place team from another group in New Jersey next Tuesday, while Norway travels to Dallas to meet Ivory Coast on the same day.
All Eyes on Mbappé and Haaland — But Dembélé Steals the Show
The match was heavily hyped as a showdown between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, but Ousmane Dembélé reminded everyone he’s a Ballon d’Or winner in his own right. He delivered a stunning first-half hat trick in just 32 minutes — the second-fastest in World Cup history.
Dembélé’s clinical finishing, combined with two assists from Mbappé, showcased his pace, movement, and composure in front of goal. While Mbappé often grabs the headlines, Dembélé proved once again that he’s more than capable of stepping up as France’s main attacking threat if needed.
Did Norway Regret Resting Their Stars?
Solbakken’s decision to rotate heavily and leave Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and others on the bench was understandable from a squad management perspective, with another crucial match just days away. However, it effectively handed France an easier evening. Norway could have potentially topped the group with a stronger lineup, but they’ll now need their best players to deliver against Ivory Coast to make the strategy worthwhile.
France’s Impressive Depth on Full Display
For the third match in a row, France scored at least three goals. This attacking firepower is no coincidence. Mbappé and Dembélé have been in excellent form, while players like Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, and Michael Olise provide outstanding support. The depth in attack makes Les Bleus look extremely dangerous heading into the knockout stages.
Manager Didier Deschamps (with assistant Guy Stéphan stepping in) also managed minutes wisely, resting key players in the second half. While France showed some defensive vulnerabilities, their attacking quality more than compensated.
No Haaland, No Party for Norway
Stepping in for Haaland is never easy, and Jørgen Strand Larsen struggled in the role. The Crystal Palace forward looked sluggish and missed several opportunities, including a poorly taken penalty in the second half that Maignan saved comfortably. His performance only highlighted how much Norway relies on their star striker.
France heads into the round of 32 with confidence and momentum, while Norway must regroup quickly if they hope to advance further in the tournament.