2026 World Cup: First half Dembele hat-trick fires France past Norway to seal top spot

Ousmane Dembele struck the second fastest hat-trick in World Cup history as France topped Group I courtesy of 4-1 win over second-placed Norway in Boston.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward cut in from the right to fire home a seventh-minute opener after Kylian Mbappe had offered an ominous warning of what was to come when he struck the post inside just 22 seconds.

Les Bleus, who were without coach Didier Deschamps due to the sad passing of his mother, doubled their lead 13 minutes later with Dembele again the man on target as he curled in a superb 20-yard strike.

Norway, who had made 10 changes to their line-up that included benching four-goal Erling Haaland, reduced the arrears seconds later through a smart finish from Thelo Aasgaard.

However, the half belonged to Dembele, who was again afforded too much space on the right and once more found that far corner to restore the two-goal cushion on 32 minutes.

Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen had a chance to pull one back for Stale Solbakken’s men from the spot, but his 50th-minute penalty was well saved by Mike Maignan.

Desire Doue then added the icing to the cake with a headed fourth deep into stoppage time.

Norway’s second string offered little overall, but were already guaranteed a top two spot and will now face Ivory Coast in the round of 32 in Dallas on Tuesday, June 30. Meanwhile, as it stands, France will meet Sweden in New Jersey.