Dembélé scores hat-trick in 25 minutes, makes history and breaks World Cup records
Striker Ousmane Dembélé, voted Ballon d’Or winner in 2025, etched his name in World Cup history this Friday (26/6), by scoring an impressive hat-trick. In just 25 minutes of play against Norway, the Paris Saint-Germain player led France in a match for the third round of Group I of the tournament. The feat not only guaranteed his team’s victory, but also placed him in a rare category of top scorers on the world stage.
Dembélé, known for his speed and ability to balance, demonstrated all his versatility on the field. His performance was a show of precision and agility, crucial elements in breaking down opposing defenses. The impact of his performance was immediate, making it clear that France has a strong candidate for the competition title.
Details of the goals scored by Dembélé
The French star’s scoring streak began just six minutes into the match. Kylian Mbappé made an exquisite pass to Dembélé, who accelerated down the right. Instead of finishing with his preferred left leg, the PSG striker dribbled again and shot with his right, giving goalkeeper Selvik no chance, opening the score 1-0 for France.
The second goal came thirteen minutes later, at 19. Mbappé, who had been fouled, chose to continue the play and played it again for his attacking partner. Demonstrating his famous ambidexterity, Dembélé received the ball on the right, took it to his left leg and, this time, finished with his left foot, extending the French lead to 2-0. The fans at Gilette Stadium gave a standing ovation to the plasticity of the move.
The consecration of his memorable afternoon came 32 minutes into the first half. In yet another move that seemed like ‘déjà vu’ of his skill, Dembélé received it from Tchouaméni, a Real Madrid player. With the ball on his left leg, he created doubt in the Norwegian marking and took advantage of the indecision to score the third goal, again with his left-hander, consolidating the unprecedented hat-trick for the national team in a short period of time.
Decisive ambidextrous ability on the field
Dembélé’s ability to use both legs equally effectively is a difference that elevates him to a unique level in modern football. This ambidexterity allows the player unpredictability, making marking much more difficult for opponents. He can cut inside or towards the byline, finish from any angle or make precise passes, regardless of which side the ball is on.
This tactical characteristic was fundamental in the match against Norway, where the opposing defense was constantly deceived by the Frenchman’s movements and finishing choices. The fluidity with which Dembélé alternated the use of his legs to dribble and shoot demonstrates a technical mastery that very few athletes can achieve, enhancing his chances of success in goal attempts.
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Dembélé and his career with the French national team
With this remarkable performance, Dembélé reached the mark of 11 goals in 62 games for the French national team. The striker has been part of the national squad since 2016 and was an important player in winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia. His continuous evolution has led him to be recognized as the best player in the world in 2025, a credential that he fully justified in this World Cup.
His presence in the world champion team and the recent election for the Ballon d’Or demonstrate the consistency and impact that the player has had on the global stage. The trust placed in him by the coaching staff and his teammates is visible on the field, where he takes on responsibilities and decides important games.
Historic hat-trick: the second fastest in the World Cup
Ousmane Dembélé’s third goal, scored in the 31st minute of the first half, established a relevant milestone in the history of the tournament. With the hat-trick achieved in exactly 25 minutes of play (from the first to the third goal), he became the second fastest hat-trick ever recorded in all editions of the World Cups.
Only one athlete has achieved a faster feat: former striker Erich Probst, from Austria. In the 1954 World Cup, held in Switzerland, Probst scored three goals in just 24 minutes during Austria’s 5-0 rout of Czechoslovakia. The proximity of the records underlines the rarity of Dembélé’s performance, placing him alongside world football legends who achieved such intense moments of brilliance on such a grand stage.
