Ballon d'Dembélé! Hat-trick vs. Norway shows Franc...
Key takeaways
- Dembele's 32-minute hat-trick, followed by Désiré Doué's headed goal in second-half stoppage time, secured an emphatic win for Les Bleus to confirm qualification for the Round of 32 as group winners.
- With Norway coach Stale Solbakken making ten changes to his starting line-up, including Manchester City forward Haaland, France dominated against the half-strength Norwegians.
- France now face a third-place qualifier in New Jersey next Tuesday while Norway travel to Dallas to take on Ivory Coast on the same day.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Dembele's 32-minute hat-trick, followed by Désiré Doué's headed goal in second-half stoppage time, secured an emphatic win for Les Bleus to confirm qualification for the Round of 32 as group winners.
With Norway coach Stale Solbakken making ten changes to his starting line-up, including Manchester City forward Haaland, France dominated against the half-strength Norwegians. And although Thelo Aasgaard gave Norway brief hope when he made it 2-1 seconds after Dembele's second goal, France coasted to the win and even saw goalkeeper Mike Maignan save a Jorgen Strand Larsen penalty.
France now face a third-place qualifier in New Jersey next Tuesday while Norway travel to Dallas to take on Ivory Coast on the same day.