In a striking display of skill, Ousmane Dembélé single-handedly dismantled Norway’s defense, scoring a remarkable hat-trick within the first half of the match in Boston. This decisive performance propelled France to a 4-1 victory, securing their position at the top of Group I in the World Cup. With this win, France will face their next challenge in New Jersey next Tuesday, while Norway prepares to meet Côte d’Ivoire in Texas.
The match unfolded with a lighthearted atmosphere, resembling a mere formality in the tournament rather than a critical clash. However, the absence of Erling Haaland, who was rested, did little to bolster Norway’s aspirations for a deep tournament run. Instead, it highlighted their reliance on key players as France exploited the space left by a disorganized Norwegian defense.
Initially, the match was billed as a showdown between Kylian Mbappé and Haaland, but with Norway opting to rest ten players, the anticipated duel never materialized. The result was a chaotic first six minutes that set the tone for Dembélé’s first-half hat-trick, showcasing his ability to exploit the weaknesses in Norway’s backline.
By the 32-minute mark, Dembélé had already planned his celebration for the match ball. Norway’s research on his playing style proved insufficient, as he consistently cut inside and found the same corner with his lethal left foot. The picturesque New England backdrop, with its rolling hills and waterways, served as a fitting stage for this critical match in Group I.
Stale Solbakken’s decision to rotate ten players from the starting lineup was a double-edged sword. While it demonstrated a commitment to squad unity, it also exposed Norway to potential embarrassment against a dominant French side. As the stadium filled with red and blue shirts, France wasted no time, almost scoring within the first twenty seconds when Mbappé struck the crossbar after a clever pass from Dembélé.
Just three minutes later, Manu Koné took advantage of Norway’s lack of defensive focus, forcing goalkeeper Egil Selvik to make a save. The first goal came in the sixth minute when Mbappé executed a brilliant diagonal pass, allowing Dembélé to cut inside and slot the ball into the far corner, igniting celebrations among the French supporters.
Though Mbappé’s assist set up Dembélé’s initial goal, he soon doubled the lead with a similar play in the 20th minute, hitting a low shot into the same corner. However, Norway quickly responded, leveling the score with a well-crafted goal from Thelo Aasgaard, who finished expertly after receiving a pass from Andreas Schjelderup, igniting excitement among their fans.
As the game progressed, a scheduled advertisement break was met with boos from the crowd, illustrating the discontent with the interruption. The match resumed with Dembélé re-establishing France’s two-goal lead in the 32nd minute, again finding the same corner, showcasing his adaptability on the field.
Norway attempted to regroup, with Oscar Bobb earning a penalty early in the second half after being fouled by Théo Hernandez. However, Jørgen Strand Larsen’s penalty kick was saved by Mike Maignan, maintaining France’s lead. The match continued with moments of excitement, particularly from Mbappé, who looked poised to score.
In the closing moments, Désiré Doué headed in a fourth goal from Bradley Barcola’s cross, capping off an impressive performance for France, who now have ten goals in the tournament. This match raises questions about Solbakken’s tactical choices, as Norway missed an opportunity to gain valuable experience against a top-tier team. The potential of this Norwegian squad remains, but they will need to harness that into tangible results in future matches.
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