Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick, leading France to a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway in a World Cup match that captivated the audience in Boston. The highly anticipated clash between French star Kylian Mbappe and Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland did not materialize as expected, with Haaland being rested by Norway manager Stale Solbakken.
France, playing without head coach Didier Deschamps who was attending his mother's funeral, still fielded a strong side including Mbappe. Solbakken's decision to rest 10 players, including Haaland, aimed to preserve his squad for future matches, a move that disappointed fans who had traveled in large numbers to see their talisman play. The decision also altered the intended narrative of the match, which was billed as a battle between two of the world's most prominent forwards, both of whom had scored four goals entering the game.
Dembele's Brilliance
Despite the absence of a direct confrontation between Mbappe and Haaland, the match unfolded with a surprising degree of freedom and excitement. Dembele, who had previously played a supportive role to Mbappe in France's opening match, took center stage. He opened his scoring account with a skillful strike after receiving a defense-splitting pass from Mbappe. His second goal was another elegant finish, cutting inside his marker. Dembele completed his hat-trick with a near-replica goal, showcasing his attacking prowess. This second-quickest hat-trick in World Cup history placed him in elite company, joining Mbappe and Haaland with four goals in the tournament.
Norway managed to pull a goal back through a well-taken strike by Thelo Aasgaard, who scored from the edge of the France area. However, their hopes of a comeback were diminished when Jorgen Strand Larsen, deputizing for Haaland, missed a penalty. The spot-kick, awarded after Oscar Bobb was fouled, was saved by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Fans continued to chant for Haaland's introduction, but he remained on the bench.
Late Goal Seals Victory
France added a fourth goal in added time, with Desire Doue heading home a firm header, concluding the scoring at 4-1. While Mbappe did not score, he contributed significantly as an assist provider for Dembele. The match, characterized by its open and attacking style, ultimately underlined France's status as World Cup favorites, even in the absence of a full-strength Norwegian squad.
