FIFA 2026: France Beat Norway, Finish Group Stages With Maximum Points

France finished on top of their group after defeating Norway 4-1 with Ousmane Dembele leading the side to victory, as they progressed to the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The two-time FIFA World Cup champions, France, were unbeaten in all group games and led Group I by nine points. They are guaranteed to play in the Round of 32, and likewise, Nprway, who followed in second with six points. The Norwegians are making their fourth FIFA World Cup appearance, hoping to surpass their 1998 best by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time. 

Dembele kicked off the first half with a hat-trick, scoring all three goals within 31 minutes. The Norwegians pulled one back after the French striker scored his second goal, as Thelo Aasgaard steered home a shot from inside the penalty area to beat Maignan to the top corner.  

Desire Doue sealed the victory with the fourth goal for France as they secured their place in the Round of 32. Despite the loss, Norway finished the group stage with six points, guaranteeing their place in the Round of 32. 

Overview 

Norway played without their goalscorer, Erling Haaland. They were vulnerable, defense-wise. France had the game from start to finish. They played wide and fast, beating the Norwegian defense, particularly the left back. Dembele was a standout, making dangerous moves that wrench his opponents' defense. 

Chances and Defense 

France would have led by a wider margin in the first half. Both Manu Koné and Michael Olise wasted the glaring opportunity they had inside the six-yard box. The Norwegian defense was flawed for most of the first half, spreading out too wide for Dembele to find space to pull those shots.