2026 World Cup: Dembele joins Golden Boot race, breaks 32-year record as France punish Norway

Didier Deschamps sent out his strongest lineup, and they delivered the goods against a much-changed Norway to finish top of Group I.

Ousmane Dembélé was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to move to four goals, alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, but one goal behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

He opened the scoring midway through the first half, added a stunning second before half-time, and completed his treble early in the second half with another clinical finish.

The hat-trick made him the first player in 32 years to score three goals in the first half of a World Cup game.

Norway, who made 10 changes to their starting lineup, threatened briefly when Thelo Aasgaard pulled one back just seconds after Dembélé’s second goal.

However, they missed a golden opportunity to level when Jørgen Strand Larsen volleyed over from close range and later saw a penalty saved by Mike Maignan.

Désiré Doué headed in a fourth goal in stoppage time to complete the rout. France topped Group I with maximum points and will head into the knockout stages in confident mood, while Norway advance to face Ivory Coast in the Round of 32.

France topped Group I with maximum points and will head into the knockout stages in confident mood, while Norway advance to face Ivory Coast in the Round of 32.