BOSTON — Ousmane Dembélé netted a hat trick in the first half as France solidified their position as favorites for the World Cup with a decisive 4-1 victory over a Norway team that rested star striker Erling Haaland in Boston.
Dembele’s remarkable hat trick, completed within just 32 minutes, along with a headed goal from Désiré Doué in added time, ensured a commanding win for Les Bleus, allowing them to advance to the round of 32 as group leaders.
With Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken making ten changes to his starting lineup, including resting Manchester City star Haaland, France took full advantage against the weakened Norwegian squad. Although Thelo Aasgaard gave Norway a brief glimmer of hope by scoring shortly after Dembélé’s second goal, France comfortably cruised to victory, highlighted by a penalty save from goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France will face a third-place team in New Jersey next Tuesday, while Norway heads to Dallas to play against Ivory Coast on the same date.
All Attention on Haaland and Mbappé? Dembélé Stepped Up
Leading up to the match, all eyes were on the anticipated showdown between Kylian Mbappé and Haaland, but Ousmane Dembélé made a bold statement, reminding everyone he was the lone Ballon d’Or winner on the field in Boston with his hat trick performance.
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But Dembélé’s hat trick was no ordinary feat. His trio of goals came within 32 minutes, making it the second-fastest in World Cup history, following Austria‘s Erich Probst’s 24-minute hat trick against Czechoslovakia in 1954. If he had scored one more, he would have been the first player to net four or more goals in a World Cup match since Russia’s Oleg Salenko scored five against Cameroon in 1994.
Yet, breaking records was secondary to Dembélé’s goal-scoring prowess that demonstrated his ability to rival the prolific scoring of his Les Bleus counterpart. Each of his goals showcased stunning finishes that outsmarted Norway’s goalkeeper Egil Selvik, with two assists coming from Mbappé.
Dembélé possesses remarkable agility, speed, and precision; he should shine as a star in his own right, yet it’s often Mbappé that draws the spotlight. Nevertheless, as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, Dembélé’s brilliance was unmistakable in Boston. Should Mbappé be sidelined due to injury, France can be confident in Dembélé’s abilities to deliver crucial goals for Didier Deschamps’ squad. — Ogden
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Burley: Norway resting players against France shows ‘defeatist attitude’
Will Norway Regret Their Conservative Approach?
Manager Stale Solbakken may have strategic reasons for his approach; if Norway’s main squad finds success against Ivory Coast in the round of 32 on Tuesday, Friday’s lackluster performance could be forgotten. However, had Norway competed vigorously against France, claiming victory could have altered their trajectory in the knockout stage.
No matter what, Solbakken’s decision to alter ten players from the squad that defeated Senegal 3-2 indicates a reluctance to battle, especially with Haaland, Antonio Nusa, Martin Ødegaard, and Alexander Sørloth on the bench. The indication was clear: Solbakken was conceding before the match even began.
Expectations were high for this match as the Mbappé versus Haaland showdown was anticipated, but Solbakken’s strategy led to disappointment. His rationale for preserving key players for a quick turnaround to the next game is logical; however, he will need those players to deliver against Ivory Coast to justify this decision. — Laurens
A Look at France’s Impressive Depth
For the third consecutive match in this World Cup, France has scored at least three goals. This is not mere coincidence; it underscores the remarkable attacking capability of this French team.
Kylian Mbappé (four) and Ousmane Dembélé (four) have combined for eight of France’s ten goals this tournament, with Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué contributing two goals against Senegal and Norway. Additionally, Michael Olise and Mbappé have both recorded three assists each, highlighting seven goal involvements across three games! Dembélé, along with Adrien Rabiot, Barcola, and Aurélien Tchouaméni have each contributed one assist. Only Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Rayan Cherki have yet to contribute directly.
This team possesses significant attacking talent, reaffirming that only a strong defense can hinder their scoring potential. Didier Deschamps and his temporary assistant, Guy Stéphan — who stepped in while Deschamps was away due to a family emergency — effectively managed player minutes against Norway, substituting Olise and Dembélé in the second half.
While the French performance was not without flaws, particularly in defensive organization that allowed Norway to create chances, the 2022 World Cup finalists seem poised for the knockout rounds on Tuesday, ready to make a stronger impact. — Laurens
Strand Larsen’s Tough Challenge in Haaland’s Absence
Taking the role of a substitute for Haaland is a formidable challenge, and Jørgen Strand Larsen faced this daunting task as Norway’s coach, Stale Solbakken, opted to rest several key players, including the prolific striker.
Haaland’s phenomenal record of 59 goals in 52 matches makes him one of the top strikers worldwide, while Strand Larsen had scored just 6 goals in 28 games prior to the match against France. The comparison was stark; it was like Clark Kent attempting to fill Superman’s shoes.
Strand Larsen struggled in the first half, appearing slow and lacking awareness, missing key opportunities. He squandered a chance to pull Norway back into the game mere minutes into the second half, with a poorly taken penalty saved by Maignan.
Haaland would have likely preferred to take the penalty himself, aiming for his fifth goal of this World Cup. Strand Larsen’s performance highlighted how crucial Haaland is for Norway; without him, the team faces a significant challenge in scoring.