Ousmane Dembélé stole the show with three first-half goals as France overwhelmed a heavily rotated Norway side and finished the group stage with a perfect record.
France sent a clear message to the rest of the field at the 2026 World Cup, dismantling Norway 4-1 in Boston to secure first place in Group I with nine points from three matches. Didier Deschamps’ men were simply too strong for a Norwegian side that rested most of its stars, including Erling Haaland, with qualification already secured.
The match was virtually decided before halftime thanks to an irresistible Ousmane Dembélé. The Ballon d’Or winner struck three times in the opening 32 minutes, twice supplied by Kylian Mbappé, who looked sharp despite failing to get on the scoresheet himself.
France nearly opened the scoring after only twenty seconds when Mbappé rattled the crossbar, and the breakthrough arrived seven minutes later. Mbappé threaded a perfect pass into the area and Dembélé danced past defenders before slotting home.
Norway briefly threatened to make a contest of it when Thelo Aasgaard pulled one back only a minute after Dembélé’s second goal, but any hopes of a comeback vanished when the PSG winger completed his hat-trick with another trademark left-footed finish.
The Scandinavians improved after the interval and had an opportunity to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, but Mike Maignan comfortably denied Jørgen Strand Larsen from twelve yards. The French goalkeeper was again decisive later, producing an excellent save to deny Oscar Bobb.
France eventually added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time, Désiré Doué heading home Bradley Barcola’s inviting cross to complete another impressive performance by the vice-world champions.
Norway, despite the heavy defeat, still advances as Group I runners-up and will now prepare for a difficult Round of 32 encounter after choosing to preserve several key players.
Match Report
Norway 1-4 France
Goals: 7′, 20′, 32′ Dembélé (F), 21′ Aasgaard (N), 90+4′ Doué (F)
Norway (3-5-2)
Selvik; Østigård, Bjørkan (46′ Pedersen), Hanche-Olsen (66′ Langås); Berg, Aursnes, Thorstvedt (46′ Thorsby), Aasgaard, Schjelderup (83′ Nusa); Bobb (83′ Hauge), Strand Larsen.
Coach: Ståle Solbakken
France (4-2-3-1)
Maignan; Koundé (87′ Gusto), Upamecano (76′ Konaté), Lacroix, Theo Hernández; Tchouaméni, Koné; Dembélé, Olise (65′ Cherki), Doué (65′ Barcola); Mbappé (87′ Mateta).
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Assists: Mbappé (2), Schjelderup, Tchouaméni, Barcola
Yellow Cards: Berg, Tchouaméni
Red Cards: None
Final Group I Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 9 |
| 2 | Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 |
| 4 | Iraq | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 1 |
Qualified: France (Group Winners), Norway (Runners-up)
Eliminated: Senegal, Iraq
