Ousmane Dembele orchestrated a dazzling spectacle, netting one of the fastest hat-tricks in World Cup history as France pulverized a second-string Norway 4-1. This unforgettable Dembele hat-trick not only stamped Les Bleus’ authority on Group I but also signalled a potent threat as they steamroll towards the knockout stages.
The Parisian wizard wasted no time at Boston Stadium on Friday, opening his account just seven minutes in. He doubled France’s lead in the 20th minute. While Thelo Aasgaard briefly offered Norway a glimmer of hope, pulling one back, Dembele extinguished it swiftly, completing his remarkable treble in the 32nd minute.
Such a rapid succession of goals is a rarity on football’s grandest stage. Indeed, only Austria’s Erich Probst in 1954 managed a quicker hat-trick, dispatching three goals within 24 minutes against Czechoslovakia. This phenomenal Dembele hat-trick solidifies his place in World Cup lore. For more insights into the annals of World Cup achievements, consult this global football authority.
The Impact of Dembele’s Hat-trick
Desire Doue sealed France’s emphatic victory with a late strike, solidifying their perfect group stage record. With maximum nine points and an impressive ten goals scored across three fixtures, Les Bleus confidently advance as Group I winners. Their journey continues in the northeastern United States, preparing for a last-32 clash against a third-place qualifier at MetLife Stadium next Tuesday.
This triumph, however, arrived amidst a poignant backdrop for Les Bleus. Coach Didier Deschamps had departed for France to attend his mother’s funeral, leaving his squad to compete without his direct presence. Deschamps, set to conclude his 14-year tenure after this World Cup, is expected to rejoin the team on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Norway, despite the defeat and a saved penalty from Jorgen Strand Larsen, progresses to the next round with six points. Their advancement was already secured prior to this encounter, thanks to earlier victories over Iraq and Senegal. This explains coach Stale Solbakken’s strategic decision to make ten alterations to his starting lineup, resting key players.
Luminaries such as Erling Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard, and striker Alexander Sorloth watched from the sidelines, with only Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes retained from the previous fixture. These regulars are poised to return for their last-16 encounter against Ivory Coast in Dallas next Tuesday, a formidable test.
France also saw changes, with Arsenal defender William Saliba sidelined due to a back issue, replaced by Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix. Doue, Theo Hernandez, and Aurelien Tchouameni all returned to the fold. However, the electric duo of Dembele and Mbappe remained on the pitch, with Mbappe earning his 101st cap, aiming to add to his 16 World Cup goals.
Yet, it was Dembele, Mbappe’s 2018 World Cup-winning teammate, who commanded the spotlight with his sensational Dembele hat-trick. Mbappe provided the assist for the early opener, as the 29-year-old winger cut in from the right, feigned a move, and unleashed a shot across goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Dembele’s transformation into a Ballon d’Or contender is often attributed to his Paris Saint-Germain coach, Luis Enrique, who shifted him from a wide position to a more central, impactful role. His performance here, cutting in from the right flank, was pure devastation. His second goal was a sublime low shot, curled with his left foot into the far corner.
Thelo Aasgaard of Rangers briefly responded, striking immediately after the restart as the French defense momentarily lost concentration. But Dembele was relentless, restoring the two-goal cushion with his third, another left-footed curl into the same bottom corner, this time from within the penalty area.
While his treble was astonishingly swift, it doesn’t eclipse the all-time fastest World Cup hat-trick: that record belongs to Hungary’s Laszlo Kiss, who required under eight minutes against El Salvador in 1982. Nevertheless, Dembele now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with French legends. Prior French hat-tricks at the tournament include Just Fontaine (twice in 1958) and Kylian Mbappe in the 2022 final.
Norway had an opportunity to narrow the deficit in the second half when Oscar Bobb was fouled by Hernandez in the box. However, Strand Larsen’s subsequent penalty attempt was uninspired, easily saved by Mike Maignan. Desire Doue then completed the rout, heading in France’s fourth goal during stoppage time.
The hero of the hour, Dembele, expressed his satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of securing top spot. “We want to win every match, and we’ll maintain our focus because what’s coming next is even more crucial,” he told reporters, his gaze firmly fixed on future challenges.
France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan, conveyed the team’s collective thoughts to Deschamps, eagerly anticipating his return. “As for the game, we executed our plan,” Stephan remarked. “There was immense enjoyment in our play, great intensity, and abundant chances. However, we acknowledge moments where we weren’t entirely at our best, and those need refining.”
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