Instead, it was left to Dembele to grab centre-stage from team-mate Mbappe, in a potent example of France\u2019s fearsome offensive arsenal.<\/p>\n
Norway, who needed a win to leapfrog France into first place, threatened a comeback when Thelo Aasgaard scored after 21 minutes.<\/p>\n
But Dembele\u2019s third goal restored France\u2019s two-goal cushion, and although Jorgen Strand Larsen missed a penalty in the 50th minute for Norway, the 2022 World Cup runners-up never looked like surrendering control.<\/p>\n
Dembele\u2019s PSG teammate Desire Doue bagged France\u2019s fourth in stoppage time to complete the scoring.<\/p>\n
Dembele later played down the significance of his quick-fire hat-trick, turning his attention to the bigger challenges awaiting in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a unique and important moment for me but I preferred my performances against Senegal or Iraq,\u201d Dembele said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I was much more influential in those games. I believe we need to stay focused because there are important things ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s game had gone ahead against a troubled backdrop for France, with coach Didier Deschamps leaving the team earlier this week following the death of his mother.<\/p>\n
Both teams meanwhile paid tribute to the victims of the devastating Venezuela earthquake just before kickoff, lining up for a moment of silence.<\/p>\n
Go all in to unlock every Fifa World Cup 2026 match with a TVNZ+ Event Pass.<\/p>\n