🎥 France dodge 🇧🇷 by staying perfect in the Cup, Dembélé stars | OneFootball

Ousmane Dembélé had been France’s “luxury supporting act” up to that point.

Then came this Friday’s (26) clash against Norway to decide first place in World Cup Group I.

And the current best player in the world was the main star.

With a hat-trick in the space of 25 minutes, he led France to an impressive 4-1 win at Gillette Stadium in Boston.

Confirming the current World Cup runners-up at the top of the group.

And sending Norway into Brazil’s path — understand below. 

Check out the highlights below. 

🔥 Madness in the 1st half

Norway coach Stale Solbakken kept only one player from the lineup that started against Iraq: Aursnes.

And France took advantage. They had 14 shots in the first half alone. Eight of them were on target. 

Mbappé hit the crossbar after just 21 seconds. It was a sign of what was to come.

Dembélé’s show began in the seventh minute, finishing with his right foot after shaking off his marker.

Being two-footed, he scored the second “in the same style.” Only this time with his left (20'). And after another Mbappé pass. 

Norway pulled one back shortly after through Aasgaard (21'). 

But Dembélé (again with his left foot) extended the lead in the 35th minute. Taking him to four goals at the World Cup. 

It was the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history. 

Only Austrian Erich Probst, at the 1954 World Cup, is ahead of him. He got his third goal against then- Czechoslovakia after 24 minutes in a 5-0 win.

A wasted chance and no Haaland

The second half featured a Norway side even more present in France’s half.

Larsen could have pulled one back, but Maignan said “no.”

City player Bobb was a constant menace to the French defense. Including a fine save from Maignan.

France — who had already allowed good chances in the first half — kept offering opportunities to their rivals.

Showing little concentration without the ball at many moments.

In search of his 17th World Cup goal, Mbappé had to settle for two assists before being substituted.

Haaland, Ødegaard and Sørloth were not even brought on for the other side. 

Stale Solbakken kept them fresh for the knockout stage. 

Until then lacking precision, France sealed the scoreline in stoppage time when Doué came out on top in the air (93'). 

What now?

Second in the group with six points, Norway will face Ivory Coast in the round of 32.

Whoever comes through that tie will face the winner of Brazil versus Japan in the round of 16.

France, meanwhile, top of the group with nine points, will face one of the third-placed teams.

Which is likely to be Sweden. And if they advance, they could face Germany as early as the round of 16. 

In the group’s other game, Senegal beat Iraq 5-0 and moved up to become the fifth-best third-placed team (three points and a positive goal difference of two).

That officially ended Scotland’s hopes.

Croatia, Algeria, Cape Verde, Belgium and DR Congo will still play their third matches in search of a place among the eight best third-placed teams.

Ecuador and Bosnia are also already assured of a knockout-stage spot. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors