France Crush Norway as Dembele Steals the Spotlight, Senegal Revive World Cup Hopes With Iraq Rout
France underlined their status as one of the favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a brilliant first-half hat-trick from Ousmane Dembele inspired a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway on Friday, securing top spot in Group I and extending their perfect start to the tournament.
While much of the build-up centered on a potential showdown between French superstar Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s prolific striker Erling Haaland, it was Dembele who seized the spotlight with a dazzling attacking display that left Norway chasing shadows for much of the encounter.
The victory ensured France finished at the summit of Group I with maximum points, while Senegal boosted their chances of progressing to the knockout stages after producing a dominant 5-0 win over Iraq in their final group fixture.
Dembele Delivers Masterclass for France
Playing at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, France wasted little time asserting their authority.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner and Paris Saint-Germain forward opened the scoring in the seventh minute, giving the 2022 World Cup runners-up an early advantage and setting the tone for a relentless attacking performance.
Dembele doubled France’s lead in the 20th minute as Norway struggled to contain the pace, movement and creativity of Didier Deschamps’ side.
Although Norway briefly threatened to make a contest of the game when Thelo Aasgaard found the net after 21 minutes, France quickly regained control.
Dembele completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute, restoring France’s two-goal cushion and effectively ending Norway’s hopes of mounting a sustained comeback.
The French attack continued to create chances throughout the second half, with Norway unable to find a way back despite earning a penalty shortly after the restart.
Jorgen Strand Larsen had an opportunity to reduce the deficit from the spot in the 50th minute, but his miss summed up a frustrating evening for the Scandinavian side.
France maintained their dominance and eventually added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time through Desire Doue, another Paris Saint-Germain star, to cap an impressive team performance.
Haaland Remains on the Bench
One of the major talking points before kick-off was the expected duel between Mbappe and Haaland, two of football’s biggest stars.
However, fans were denied the much-anticipated battle after Norway surprisingly left Manchester City striker Haaland among the substitutes.
The decision generated significant discussion before the match and ultimately shifted attention toward France’s attacking depth, with Dembele taking full advantage of the opportunity to headline the occasion.
Dembele’s performance served as another reminder of the formidable offensive options available to France, who have emerged as one of the most entertaining teams of the tournament.
Emotional Occasion for France
The match came during an emotionally difficult period for the French camp.
France coach Didier Deschamps had stepped away from the squad earlier in the week following the death of his mother, creating a somber backdrop ahead of the encounter.
Before kick-off, players from both France and Norway observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the devastating earthquake in Venezuela.
The tribute added a reflective note to an evening that ultimately ended with France celebrating another convincing World Cup victory.
France Advance as Group Winners
By securing all three points, France completed the group stage with a perfect record and now advance to the Round of 32 as Group I winners.
The French side will face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in the next round as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
Norway, despite the defeat, remain alive in the competition and are scheduled to face Ivory Coast in Dallas on June 30 in a crucial knockout-stage encounter.
Senegal Produce Five-Star Display
Elsewhere, Senegal reignited their World Cup campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq.
The African side entered the match needing a convincing result after a disappointing start to the tournament and delivered exactly that.
From the opening whistle, Senegal dominated proceedings, controlling possession and creating chances with confidence and urgency.
Their attacking quality eventually overwhelmed Iraq as the goals continued to flow throughout the match.
The comprehensive victory significantly improved Senegal’s goal difference and earned them their first points of the tournament.
More importantly, it kept alive their hopes of progressing to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Senegal Await Their Fate
Despite the impressive win, Senegal’s future remains uncertain.
With three points collected from their group campaign, the Lions of Teranga must now wait for results from other groups before discovering whether they have done enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Their fate depends on how other third-placed teams perform across the remaining fixtures.
Nevertheless, the commanding nature of the victory has given Senegal a realistic chance of advancing and showcased the quality that made them one of Africa’s most respected football nations.
Spain Eye Top Spot in Group H
Attention now turns to several decisive fixtures scheduled across the tournament.
Spain will seek to secure first place in Group H when they face Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Spaniards need only a draw to guarantee top position, while Uruguay must avoid defeat to maintain realistic hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Uruguay’s campaign has been placed under pressure following a surprising 2-2 draw against Cape Verde in their previous outing.
As a result, Friday’s clash has become one of the most significant matches of the group stage.
Cape Verde Continue Fairytale Journey
Cape Verde have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the tournament and will attempt to extend their remarkable run when they face Saudi Arabia.
The island nation has exceeded expectations with disciplined performances and could complete another major upset by securing qualification for the knockout phase.
Egypt and Iran Clash Amid Controversy
In Group G, Egypt and Iran are preparing for a high-stakes encounter in Seattle, where top spot in the group will be on the line.
The fixture has attracted attention beyond football due to controversy surrounding local Pride celebrations taking place in the city.
The match was designated as Seattle’s “Pride Match” as part of wider events celebrating LGBTQ+ communities before the identities of the participating teams were known.
Reports indicate that officials from both Iran and Egypt have expressed concerns regarding the association of the fixture with Pride-related activities.
The issue has generated debate ahead of what is expected to be one of the most closely watched matches of the group stage.
A victory for Egypt would secure first place in Group G and strengthen their position heading into the knockout rounds.
Belgium Face Must-Win Encounter
Meanwhile, Belgium’s experienced squad, led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, will attempt to secure qualification when they face New Zealand.
With knockout places at stake, Belgium will be determined to avoid an early exit and capitalize on the experience of their veteran stars.
World Cup Knockout Race Intensifies
As the group stage approaches its conclusion, the race for places in the Round of 32 is becoming increasingly competitive.
France have already established themselves as serious title contenders, while Senegal’s emphatic victory has ensured that the battle among third-placed teams remains wide open.
With several decisive matches still to be played, teams across the tournament continue to fight for survival, setting the stage for a dramatic finish to the group phase and an exciting knockout campaign ahead.
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