Dembélé’s France ruthlessly thrashes Haaland’s Norway 4-1 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The French football team won an impressive 4-1 victory over Norway, in a decisive match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ousmane Dembélé was the highlight of the match, scoring three goals and leading France to the top of Group I. The result guaranteed the French team a potentially more favorable path in the knockout stages of the tournament, with the possibility of avoiding Brazil in a hypothetical round of 16.
Before kickoff, the scenario already indicated the importance of the duel. Both teams were already qualified for the knockout stages, but the fight for first place in Group I was crucial. France needed just a draw to secure the lead, while Norway needed a victory. The presence of stars such as Kylian Mbappé for France and Erling Haaland for Norway added even more expectation to the clash.
France’s overwhelming start with Dembélé hat-trick
The game started with France imposing an intense rhythm, demonstrating its strength from the first seconds. In the first minute, Kylian Mbappé darted down the right and shot hard, hitting the crossbar after a subtle deflection by goalkeeper Selvik. Shortly after, in the third minute, Kouadio Koné also took a risk from outside the area, forcing Selvik to make a good save.
French pressure resulted in the first goal after six minutes. Ousmane Dembélé received an excellent pass from Mbappé, invaded the area from the right, placed it on his right foot and finished with precision into the goalkeeper’s right corner, opening the scoring for France.
Norway tried to react, but ran into their own mistakes and the opponent’s defense. After nine minutes, Patrick Berg received a yellow card. Shortly after, at 13, Jorgen Strand Larsen had an incredible chance inside the small area, but shot over the goal, wasting the opportunity to equalize.
France did not slow down and increased its advantage. In the 19th minute, in another well-worked offensive play, Mbappé served Dembélé, who hit the ball in Selvik’s right corner, scoring his second goal of the match and making it 2-0.
However, Norway responded quickly and closed the gap on the scoreboard. In the 20th minute, Thelo Aasgaard took advantage of a lack of attention from the French defense, dribbled past Upamecano and shot into the corner, putting the Norwegians back in the game.
Before the hydration break, France maintained the offensive. Theo Hernández and Olise had shots that went too high or were blocked by marking. At 24 minutes, the game was interrupted for a technical break.
In the 31st minute, Ousmane Dembélé confirmed his great performance by completing a hat-trick. Receiving the ball again on the right wing, he brought it to the middle and, with space, sent a cross into the corner, with no chance for goalkeeper Selvik, making it 3-1 on the scoreboard.
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In the final minutes of the first half, France created more opportunities with Tchouaméni, Doué, Koné and Olise, but goalkeeper Selvik managed to prevent the difference from increasing. Norway also tried, with some dangerous arrivals, but Maignan looked confident in the French goal.
The first half was marked by a high pace and clear dominance by France. Mbappé started the game with a shot against the crossbar, and Koné also demanded a save from Selvik. Dembélé was lethal, finding the net three times. Despite Larsen’s great missed chance, Norway managed to score with Aasgaard, but the game remained under the control of the two-time world champion team, who reached half-time with a comfortable lead.
Second half with penalty saved and final goal by Doué
The final stage began with a turnaround for Norway. Just two minutes in, Oscar Bobb was brought down in the area by Theo Hernández, and the referee signaled a penalty for the Norwegian team.
However, goalkeeper Mike Maignan stood out when he saved Larsen’s shot in the fourth minute, maintaining France’s two-goal lead. The goalkeeper’s intervention was crucial in maintaining the score and the French momentum.
France responded with quick attacks. Mbappé, at six and ten minutes, had dangerous shots that came out very dangerously or were saved by goalkeeper Selvik. Norway also tried high up, but the French defense was alert.
During the second half, there were several substitutions in both teams. France promoted the entries of Barcola and Cherki, while Norway fielded Hauge, Nusa and Langaas. There was another hydration break at 22 minutes, changing the pace of the match a little.
Norway continued to look for the goal, and Bobb, in the 26th minute, risked a cross shot that was well saved by Maignan. The game continued with France having more shots (17 against Norway’s 9) and superior possession of the ball. Aurélien Tchouaméni of France received a yellow card in the 29th minute.
More substitutions occurred in the final minutes, with France swapping Koundé for Gusto and Mbappé for Mateta, and Norway bringing on Pedersen and Thorsby. In the 35th minute, Barcola ran from the left and shot from an angle, towards Selvik’s defense.
The rout was sealed in the 48th minute, when Doué scored France’s fourth goal. After a precise cross to the head of the number 20, he touched the corner, taking it from goalkeeper Selvik, closing the score at 4-1.
The final whistle, 50 minutes into the second half, confirmed France’s dominant performance, which guaranteed the leadership of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a resounding victory and a show from Ousmane Dembélé.
