Ousmane Dembélé scored a beautifully precise 25-minute hat-trick as France beat a second-string Norway 4-1 in Boston to secure top spot in World Cup Group I. The hyper-mobile French attack tore apart a defensively chaotic Norway side, with Dembélé finding the same corner three times with his ruthless left foot.
France dominate early as Norway rest key players
Norway rotated 10 players, resting star striker Erling Haaland, and paid the price as France took control from the first minute. Kylian Mbappé hit the crossbar within 20 seconds, and Manu Koné forced a save soon after. Dembélé opened the scoring in the sixth minute, cutting inside and firing into the far corner after a wonderful diagonal pass from Mbappé.
Norway equalised briefly through Thelo Aasgaard, but Dembélé restored the lead on 20 minutes and completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute, all with similar moves from the left flank. France now have 10 goals in the tournament and a sense of late-Deschamps cavalier spirit.
Norway miss penalty as France seal win
Norway had a chance to get back into the game when Oscar Bobb won a penalty, but Jørgen Strand Larsen's spot-kick was soft and central, saved by Mike Maignan. Désiré Doué headed a fourth from Bradley Barcola's cross late on. Norway, who came into the game on a winning run, will now play Côte d'Ivoire in Texas, while France face their last-32 tie in New Jersey.
