FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group I Results
Norway 1-4 France
Senegal 5-0 Iraq
Boston, USA: Ousmane Dembélé produced one of the performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after scoring a devastating first-half hat-trick in just 25 minutes to inspire France to a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway and seal top spot in Group I with a perfect record.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner struck in the seventh, 20th, and 32nd minutes, becoming the first Frenchman to score a first-half World Cup hat-trick and recording one of the fastest trebles in tournament history. Kylian Mbappé played a key supporting role, providing an assist and tormenting the Norwegian defence throughout the contest.
Much of the pre-match attention had centred on a showdown between Mbappé and Erling Haaland, but Norway coach Ståle Solbakken opted to rest Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and several other regular starters after already securing qualification for the Round of 32.
France quickly took advantage of the heavily rotated Norwegian side, with Dembélé finishing clinically before adding two more goals inside half an hour to leave Les Bleus firmly in control.
Thelo Aasgaard briefly gave Norway hope with an equaliser midway through the opening half, but France continued to dominate possession and chances.
Désiré Doué added a late fourth goal to complete an emphatic victory as Didier Deschamps’ side finished the group stage with nine points from three matches.
Despite the defeat, Norway advanced to the knockout stage as Group I runners-up and are set to face Ivory Coast in the Round of 32.
Senegal respond in style
Over in Toronto, Senegal kept their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive after producing a ruthless 5-0 demolition of Iraq, who played most of the match with ten men following Rebin Sulaka’s early red card for denying Sadio Mané a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Habib Diarra opened the scoring after just four minutes before the numerical advantage allowed the Lions of Teranga to take complete control.
Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead shortly after halftime before Pape Gueye delivered the standout individual display of the evening, scoring twice and providing an assist in a dominant midfield performance. Iliman Ndiaye rounded off the scoring as Senegal recorded the biggest win of their World Cup campaign.
The convincing victory lifted Senegal to third place in Group I with three points and a vastly improved goal difference. However, Aliou Cissé’s side must now wait to discover whether their tally is enough to secure one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed qualification spots.
France, meanwhile, head into the knockout rounds as one of the tournament favourites after completing a flawless group-stage campaign built on clinical finishing, attacking depth, and Dembélé’s sensational return to form.
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