France’s Ousmane Dembele secured a first-half hat-trick, leading Les Bleus to a 4-1 triumph over Norway at Boston Stadium. The win in Group I was crucial for France, while Norway opted to rest Erling Haaland on the bench. Both teams had already secured spots in the round of 32 before this match.
The game started with high intensity, with Kylian Mbappe testing Norway’s defense early on. Dembele broke the deadlock in the seventh minute with a powerful shot, following a cross from Mbappe. Despite Norway’s efforts, France extended their lead to 2-0 in the 20th minute with another goal from Dembele, showcasing their dominance.
Norway managed to pull one back through Thelo Aasgaard, but Dembele’s exceptional performance continued as he completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute. This remarkable feat marked the sixth first-half hat-trick in World Cup history, highlighting Dembele’s exceptional skill on the field.
In the second half, Norway missed a penalty opportunity, and both teams faced challenges with their goalkeepers sustaining injuries. Despite Norway’s efforts, France sealed the victory in stoppage time with a goal from Desire Doue. With this win, France secured the top spot in Group I, while Norway finished second, with Haaland closely trailing behind Messi in the Golden Boot race.
