Ousmane Dembélé scored a first-half hat trick to lead France to a 4-1 victory over Norway on Friday [1], [2].
The win cements France as a primary favorite for the 2026 World Cup title and secures the team the top seed in Group I [3].
Playing in Boston, U.S., the French forward completed his three-goal feat within 32 minutes [1], [4]. The rapid offensive surge left Norway unable to recover, as France dominated the early stages of the match to secure a comfortable lead [2].
Following the match, Dembélé expressed a mix of modesty and surprise regarding his efficiency on the pitch. "I never imagined scoring a hat-trick in the first half," Dembélé said [5].
Despite the historic nature of the performance, the forward remained critical of his own play. "It wasn't my best performance, but I'm happy with the result," Dembélé said [5].
The 4-1 final score reflects a widening gap between the two sides during the group stage [2]. France used the victory to solidify its standing, and momentum heading into the knockout rounds of the tournament [3].
The result sparked celebrations in Paris, where fans reacted to the dominant display in the U.S. as the team moved closer to another potential world championship title.
“"I never imagined scoring a hat-trick in the first half."”
By securing the top spot in Group I with a dominant victory, France earns a more favorable seeding for the knockout stages. Dembélé's ability to score three goals in under 32 minutes signals an aggressive offensive peak that makes the French squad a formidable opponent for any remaining team in the tournament.
