In the third round of the group stage of the World Cup, the French national team secured a convincing victory over Norway. "Les Bleus" left no chances for their opponent, securing top spot in Group I thanks to the phenomenal performance of Ousmane Dembélé, who scored a quick hat-trick.

Sensational "Viking" Lineup

The main intrigue before the match was the clash of star strikers. However, the Norwegian coach prepared a real surprise for the fans. The team's top scorer, Erling Haaland, was left out of the starting lineup. In total, the Norwegian coaching staff made 10 changes compared to the previous match, which significantly altered the game's dynamics.

French Blitzkrieg

The French team seized the initiative from the first seconds. Already in the first minute, Kylian Mbappé hit the crossbar of the opponent's goal, setting an aggressive tone for the upcoming battle. The pressure from "Les Bleus" quickly turned into scoring shots:

  • In the 7th minute, Ousmane Dembélé skillfully dribbled past a defender to put his team ahead.
  • In the 20th minute, the French forward doubled the lead, elegantly curling the ball into the far corner.

The Norwegians managed to react almost instantly: a minute after Dembélé's goal, Telo Oskog reduced the deficit. However, in the 32nd minute, Ousmane Dembélé once again demonstrated his class, completing his hat-trick and restoring a two-goal advantage for the visitors. The skill of goalkeeper Elias Selvik was the only factor that saved the Norwegians from a heavier defeat before halftime.

Missed Chance and the Final Note

The second half began with a perfect chance for the "Vikings" to change the course of the game. In the 48th minute, Oscar Bobb broke into the penalty area, forcing Theo Hernández to foul — a penalty was awarded. However, Yrgen Strenn-Larsen's shot was too weak, and the French goalkeeper Mike Maignan calmly saved the team.

Despite attempts by Oscar Bobb and Leo Estigarribia to create sharp moments, they failed to convert them. Norway's main star, Erling Haaland, never appeared on the field, spending the entire match on the bench. In the closing stages of the second half, France scored a fourth goal through Désiré Doué, putting a full stop to this confrontation.