Ousmane Dembele hat-trick sees off Norway and ensures France top Group I
France forward Ousmane Dembele scored a first half hat-trick against Norway. Pic: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Ousmane Dembele scored a stunning first-half hat-trick as France secured top spot in their World Cup group with a convincing 4-1 win over much-changed Norway.
The Paris St Germain star struck three times in the opening 32 minutes in Boston as France maintained their 100% record in Group I in the absence of coach Didier Deschamps.
Kylian Mbappe failed to register for the first time in the tournament but still crafted two assists in a sparkling performance that was capped by a late header from Desire Doue.
Norway made 10 changes, including leaving Erling Haaland on the bench in a move that denied the audience a head-to-head between him and fellow Golden Boot contender Mbappe.
The Manchester City forward could only watch as Jorgen Strand Larsen had a penalty saved but an outclassed Norway did at least get on the scoresheet with a fine effort from Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard.
France, for whom Guy Stephan was in charge following the recent death of Deschamps’ mother, had no intention of easing up.
They almost led after 22 seconds when Mbappe smashed a shot against the underside of the crossbar. Egil Selvik got a fingertip to the effort before denying Jules Kounde and Manu Kone in quick succession.
The breakthrough came after just seven minutes as Mbappe’s superb crossfield pass released Dembele, who weaved inside and out before firing home.
Norway threatened through Larsen, who controlled a high ball before shooting over, but Mbappe soon forced another save from Selvik.
Mbappe created Dembele’s second in the 20th minute by shrugging off Leo Ostigard before picking out the winger, who cut inside and curled a superb effort beyond Selvik.
France had barely finished celebrating when Norway replied. Andreas Schjelderup released Aasgaard, whose body swerve wrong-footed two defenders before he fired past Mike Maignan.
Dembele completed his treble after a patient team move, once again cutting inside to curl a shot into the far corner.
France almost had a fourth when Doue pounced on a poor backpass but could not get around Selvik.
Norway were handed a route back into the contest when Oscar Bobb was fouled by Theo Hernandez, but Larsen’s tame penalty was pushed away by Maignan.
Mbappe continued his search for a goal but fired over before being withdrawn late on as France advanced to the last 32 in style.
Bobb could have set up a grandstand finish but shot straight at Maignan before Doue had the final say.
Meanwhile, Senegal racked up the goals on 10-man Iraq in a 5-0 victory Friday that boosted their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages.
Pape Gueye scored two second-half goals as the Senegalese — vying to advance as from third place in Group I — took advantage of a first-half red card on Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka for preventing Sadio Mane from going in on goal alone.
Habib Diarra scored in the fourth minute and even though Sulaka was sent off in the 13th, Senegal didn’t score again until Ismaila Sarr’s goal in the 56th minute.
Gueye then added his two goals and Iliman Ndiaye netted Senegal’s fifth.
With the victory, Senegal now has three points and a plus-two goal differential.
The eight best third-place teams advance to the Round of 32, with ties broken by goals scored and goal differential if necessary.
Iraq was eliminated without a point in its first World Cup appearance since 1986.
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