Dembélé Hat-Trick Powers France Past Norway 3-1
Photo: REUTERS
Ousmane Dembélé fired France to a historic 3-1 victory over Norway, netting the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history.
The 32nd-minute treble secured France’s first perfect group-stage sweep since their 1998 championship campaign.
Competing in Boston, Les Bleus thrived under assistant coach Guy Stephan, who led the team in Didier Deschamps’ absence.
Dembele opened the scoring in the 7th minute, cutting inside to fire a trademark left-footed strike into the far corner. He doubled the lead in the 20th minute from distance and completed his historic feat just 12 minutes later.
Norway responded briefly when Thelo Aasgaard beat Dayot Upamecano to score in the 21st minute. However, goalkeeper Mike Maignan halted a potential comeback by saving Jorgen Strand Larsen’s second-half penalty.
Desire Doue added a stoppage-time goal, his first in the global finals, to seal the win. Norway notably rested star Erling Haaland, making ten changes to their starting XI.
France, who saw Kylian Mbappe hit the crossbar in the opening minute, now advances to the Round of 32. Norway will next face Côte d’Ivoire.
