Dembélé scores historic hat-trick in the first half and put…
Dembélé scores historic hat-trick in the first half and puts France at the top of Group I
Ousmane Dembélé stole the show with three goals in the first half, sealing the 4-1 victory over Norway and guaranteeing Les Bleus' leadership at the 2026 World Cup.
Ousmane Dembélé wrote his name in history when he scored an unprecedented hat-trick in the first half in France's 4-1 victory over Norway, in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The feat, which had not happened to a Frenchman since 1994, placed Les Bleus as leaders of Group I and reinforced the team's status as the main contender for the title. The game, played in Los Angeles, started with French pressure.
Dembélé opened the scoring in the 12th minute, taking advantage of Kylian Mbappé's cross. The second goal came in the 28th minute, after an individual play that unbalanced the Norwegian defense. Before the break, the Barcelona midfielder settled the score with a shot from outside the box, in the 43rd minute.
Norway scored in the 57th minute, but France sealed the result with a goal from Olivier Giroud in the 82nd. Dembélé's performance was praised by the international press. French newspaper L'Équipe highlighted that the player showed maturity and technique to lead the French attack.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken admitted that France were superior in every aspect of the game. What comes now? France faces Denmark in the next Group I game, looking to secure first place in advance.
With the campaign already consolidated, Les Bleus reach the knockout stages with confidence and a lethal attack. The match against Norway exposed Norwegian defensive weaknesses. The Scandinavian team, which was coming from a consistent cycle in the European qualifiers, showed difficulty in containing the speed of the French counterattacks.
The lack of a midfielder with a more physical profile, like Martin Ødegaard, left holes in the marking, allowing Dembélé and Mbappé to explore spaces with ease. Norway, now in second place in the group, needs to review its defensive strategy before the duel against Turkey, which could define the second place. Dembélé's hat-trick not only rewrote individual statistics but also reignited the debate over the depth of the French squad.
With players like Mbappé, Griezmann and now Dembélé at a high level, France has options to field three elite strikers simultaneously. This tactical versatility can be decisive in knockout games, where adaptation is crucial. Norway, in turn, will have to reinvent itself to avoid being eliminated in the group stage.
Norway arrived at this match with a positive record in the European qualifiers, qualifying with authority for the 2026 World Cup. However, the performance against France revealed that the team still needs to mature in clashes against elite teams. The absence of Ødegaard, injured, was a determining factor, but the lack of an offensive plan B also weighed.
Turkey, third in the group, now has the chance to surprise and secure the second place, depending on the result between Norway and Denmark. France, on the other hand, confirmed their status as favorites for the title by demonstrating consistency across the board. The defense, led by William Saliba, remained solid despite the Norwegian pressure in the second half.
The midfield, with N'Golo Kanté and Aurélien Tchouaméni, balanced the game and allowed Dembélé and Mbappé to shine. This functional structure will be fundamental in the next matches, especially against teams that focus on high marking. What comes now?
France faces Denmark in the next Group I game, looking to secure first place in advance. With the campaign already consolidated, Les Bleus reach the knockout stages with confidence and a lethal attack. Denmark, second in the group, arrives with morale after a narrow victory over Turkey, but will have to contain the French offensive machine to avoid a defeat that could define first place in the group in the group stage.
The impact of Dembélé's hat-trick goes beyond the victory. He redefined expectations about the French offensive potential, which is now seen as one of the most feared teams in the tournament. Norway, in turn, urgently needs to find solutions for its defense and midfield, or it risks falling into the group stage for the first time since 1998. Read at Trivela
Why this matters
Dembélé's first-half hat-trick is the first by a Frenchman since 1994, redefining France as goal machines and title favorites. The victory consolidated the team as group leaders and showed impressive cohesion ahead of the knockout stages. Furthermore, the performance exposed Norway as a defensively vulnerable team, while France reinforced their national team image with offensive depth and tactical adaptability. The feat also reignited the debate about the depth of the French squad, which now has three elite attackers to field simultaneously, a decisive advantage in the knockout stage.
Frequently asked
What was the final score of the match between France and Norway?
France beat Norway 4-1 at the 2026 World Cup.
How many goals did Ousmane Dembélé score in the first half?
Dembélé scored three goals in the first half, completing a historic hat-trick.
When was the last time a Frenchman scored a hat-trick in the first half of a World Cup?
The last hat-trick by a Frenchman in the first half occurred in 1994, before Dembélé's feat.
How does the victory affect France's standings in Group I?
The victory guaranteed France's leadership in Group I of the 2026 World Cup.
Who is the coach of the French team?
The coach of the French team is Didier Deschamps.
What was Norway's weak point in this match?
Norway showed defensive fragility, especially when countering counterattacks, and lacked a physical midfielder to contain the French game.
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