- 2026 FIFA World Cup: Dembele Hat-Trick Fires France to Group I Summit as Senegal Keep Dream Alive with Five-Star Victory
France sealed top spot in Group I of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in emphatic fashion on Friday, with Ousmane Dembélé producing a stunning first-half hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Norway, while Senegal thrashed Iraq 5-0 to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
In Foxborough, Massachusetts, France delivered a performance worthy of title contenders as Dembélé scored three goals in just 25 first-half minutes to inspire Les Bleus to victory and ensure they finished at the top of the group.
Already assured of qualification before kick-off, France had pledged to win in honour of head coach Didier Deschamps, who returned to France earlier this week to attend his mother’s funeral. The players responded with a dominant display that underlined their status as one of the tournament favourites.
Norway, who had also secured passage to the Round of 32, fielded a heavily rotated side, resting several key players including star striker Erling Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard.
France wasted little time asserting themselves. Kylian Mbappé struck the crossbar inside the opening minute before setting up Dembélé for the opener in the sixth minute. The winger cut inside his marker and rifled a powerful effort beyond goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Mbappé and Dembélé combined again in the 20th minute, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward doubling the lead with another clinical finish. Norway briefly threatened a comeback when Thelo Aasgaard pulled one back, but Dembélé completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute with a curling strike into the bottom corner.
The treble made Dembélé only the third French player to score a World Cup hat-trick after Just Fontaine and Mbappé. It was also the second-earliest hat-trick in World Cup history, behind Austria’s Erich Probst in 1954.
Norway had opportunities to reduce the deficit after the break, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved Jørgen Strand Larsen’s penalty before denying Oscar Bobb. France then put the contest beyond doubt in the closing stages when Désiré Doué headed home from Bradley Barcola’s cross to make it 4-1.
The victory ensured France finished first in Group I and earned a likely Round of 32 clash against Sweden. Norway, as runners-up, are set to face Côte d’Ivoire.
While France celebrated in Massachusetts, Senegal were producing a statement performance of their own in Toronto.
Needing a convincing victory to maintain hopes of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, the Lions of Teranga overwhelmed Iraq with a ruthless 5-0 triumph.
Senegal took the lead after just four minutes when Abdoulaye Seck rose highest to meet a corner from Lamine Camara, with the ball taking a slight touch off Habib Diarra before looping into the net.
Iraq’s task became significantly harder when defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card following a VAR review for bringing down Sadio Mané as the Senegal captain raced through on goal.
Despite playing with ten men, Iraq showed resilience before halftime, but Senegal’s dominance finally translated into goals after the interval.
Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead with a close-range finish, becoming Senegal’s all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup. Substitute Pape Gueye then stole the spotlight with two spectacular long-range strikes that sent the Senegal supporters into celebration.
Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with another superb effort from distance as Senegal recorded one of their biggest-ever victories at the tournament.
The win lifted Senegal to third place in Group I with three points, behind France and Norway. However, their fate remains uncertain as they await results from the remaining groups to determine whether they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
For France, it was a night of brilliance from Dembélé and another reminder of their championship credentials. For Senegal, it was a performance filled with hope, determination and goals as they continue to dream of extending their World Cup journey.
