World Cup 2026: How tactical tweak inspired France to run riot in statement win | OneFootball

Les Bleus’ stunning array of forward talent masks any lingering defensive worries as weakened Norway brushed aside

If you thought France couldn’t get any better, think again. Somehow, Les Bleus have turned it up to 11, and look more likely World Cup winners than ever.

France closed out the group stage facing Norway in Boston, and, with both sides already qualified for the round of 32, came up with perhaps their biggest victory yet.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken took a low-risk approach. Fredrik Aursnes was the only man to keep his place from the win over Senegal, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth all rested for a knockout meeting with Ivory Coast.

It was only seven minutes before they had the opener, with the roles from the earlier chance reversed. Mbappe turned playmaker, hitting a superb first-time diagonal ball to Dembele, who jinked into the area and rifled home.

Just 13 minutes later he had a second, a near carbon copy of the first. And 12 minutes after that, a third, again whipped into the top-left corner from the right-hand side of the box.

Hat-trick hero: Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele scored three as France thrashed much-changed Norway

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On a day when Haaland was omitted from the headline bout, there were plenty of willing understudies to take the limelight.

The rout was in part down to a minor tactical tweak, which saw Michael Olise, generally employed on the right wing, trade places with usual No10 Dembele.

Guy Stephan, Deschamps’ assistant, was keen to play down the ploy at full-time, saying, “It is not a question you need to ask yourself”, but its effect against a weakened Norway side was undeniable.

Dembele’s lightning pace left Fredrik André Bjørkan helpless in his wake, while his team-mates failed to manage Olise, whose free-spirited wanders between the lines allowed him to stretch his legs as a deep playmaker.

For Desire Doue to add a fourth in the second half, assisted by substitute Bradley Barcola, spoke to the embarrassment of riches and depth in this squad.

While Stephan kept France’s collective cards close to his chest, he suggested their frontline boasts enough talent that it transcends the need for fixed positions. But there was also a word of warning.

“We have a great team which sparkles and can shine,” he explained. “There is a lot of dribbling, a lot of one-twos.

“And of course, what happens then, sometimes there is an imbalance. You need to compensate for it.”

He was referring to France’s at times dubious defending.

On a day when their dazzling forwards stole the spotlight, France’s concerns at the back were overshadowed

Thelo Aasgaard’s consolation goal was scored all too easily, Dayot Upamecano beaten by a deft feint. Theo Hernandez was rash diving in on Oscar Bobb to concede a second-half penalty, though he was not helped by Manu Kone’s missed tackle.

Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix - a prominent transfer target for Chelsea this summer - replaced Arsenal’s William Saliba in the starting XI and was unconvincing.

On France’s most dominant day of the summer so far, a potential weakness emerged. If Norway’s second string can cause such problems, what might happen against stiffer opposition in the knockout stages?

But Deschamps and his staff need not worry. The backline may have a mistake or two in it, but they can count on the likes of Mbappe to find the back of the net with enough regularity to cancel out any gaffes.

That much was evident in the 94th minute, when Doue headed home from Barcola’s cross with the match already won.

If any team manages to beat France this summer, it will be the one that manages to keep those forwards quiet. None has yet succeeded in that end. It remains to be seen if any will.