Norway 1-4 France: FIFA World Cup 2026 Ousmane Dembele scored the second-earliest hat-trick in World Cup history as France defeated Norway 4-1 to ensure they finished top of Group I.
An enthralling contest at Boston Stadium lived up to its pre-match billing even though Norway sprung a surprise by making 10 changes to their starting XI, including leaving Erling Haaland on the substitutes’ bench throughout.
After finishing as runners-up, Norway will now have to face the Ivory Coast in Dallas on June 30, while France will take on one of the teams finishing in third place later the same day in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
France, playing without head coach Didier Deschamps following the death of his mother, made a fantastic start. Within 20 minutes, they had already racked up seven shots on target – the most by a team in that span in a World Cup match since such records began in 1966.
Mbappe found Dembele in a similar position, and he once more cut inside, but this time used his left foot to send a magnificent strike into the far corner from 20 yards out.
But just as France supporters were partying in the stands, Les Bleus switched off from the restart as Norway struck straight back. After being set up by Andreas Schjelderup, Aasgaard drove past Dayot Upamecano and sent a low finish into the bottom corner from 15 yards with France keeper Maignan unmoved.
As for Norway, their reliance on Haaland could not be clearer, as they are winless in their last six competitive matches without him in the starting XI (D3 L3).
Norway became just the fourth World Cup team to make at least 10 changes to their line-up in the same edition, and – despite the disappointment here – their stars should be fresh for what looks set to be one of the best ties of the round-of-32 stage against the Ivory Coast.