France forward Ousmane Dembele etched his name into FIFA World Cup history after producing a sensational first-half hat-trick in Les Bleus' emphatic 4-1 victory over Norway in their final group-stage encounter.
The 29-year-old completed his treble within just 32 minutes, making it the second-fastest hat-trick from kick-off in men's World Cup history. Only Austrian striker Erich Probst reached the milestone quicker, scoring three goals in the opening 24 minutes against Czechoslovakia during the 1954 tournament. Dembele also became the first player to score a first-half hat-trick in a World Cup match in 32 years, ending a drought that stretched back to 1994.
Dembele Runs Riot in Foxborough
France wasted little time asserting their dominance as Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute. The winger was in unstoppable form throughout the opening half, tormenting Norway's defence with his pace, movement and clinical finishing.
His second goal arrived in the 20th minute before he completed his memorable treble in the 32nd minute, with one of the strikes coming from an excellent assist by Kylian Mbappe. Dembele's outstanding display effectively settled the contest before halftime and further strengthened his case as one of the standout performers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far.
France's Attack Continues to Shine
While Dembele grabbed the headlines, France's attack once again looked frighteningly effective. Mbappe was heavily involved throughout the match, striking the crossbar early on and constantly stretching Norway's backline with his intelligent runs and creativity.
Michael Olise also impressed with his link-up play and ability to create openings in the final third, while France's squad depth was highlighted by Désiré Doué, who added a late fourth goal in stoppage time.
Norway, meanwhile, opted to rotate heavily after already securing qualification for the knockout stages. Several key stars, including Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, were left on the bench, giving France a significant advantage against a much-changed side. Despite managing a consolation goal, the Scandinavian nation struggled to contain the relentless French attack and even missed a penalty that could have reduced the deficit further.
France Looking Ahead to the Round of 32
With another convincing victory under their belt, France finished the group stage in impressive fashion and reinforced their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. Having extended their winning run and witnessed Dembele rewrite the record books, Les Bleus will now turn their attention to the Round of 32, where they will aim to maintain their momentum and continue their march toward World Cup glory.
