Dembele's Hat-trick Leads France Over Norway, Senegal Keeps Hope Alive

Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as France beat Norway 4-1 to top World Cup Group I on Friday. Senegal also kept their chances for the last-32 alive with a big win over Iraq.

Dembele, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, scored goals in the 7th, 20th, and 32nd minutes. France continued their perfect start to the tournament with another impressive attacking performance.

Before the game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston, everyone was excited about the match-up between French striker Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland. But Haaland stayed on the bench, so the spotlight fell on Dembele instead, showing off France's strong attack.

Norway needed a win to go ahead of France in the group. They made things interesting when Thelo Aasgaard scored after 21 minutes. But Dembele quickly answered back with his third goal, keeping France ahead by two goals. Norway's Jorgen Strand Larsen missed a penalty in the 50th minute. Still, the 2022 World Cup runners-up maintained control of the game.

Dembele's PSG teammate Desire Doue added France's fourth goal in stoppage time, finalizing the score.

This match happened after a tough week for France, as coach Didier Deschamps left the team due to his mother's passing.

Both teams honored the victims of the recent earthquake in Venezuela before the match started.

Senegal Keeps Hope Alive

France will now play one of the eight best third-placed teams in the last 32. Meanwhile, Norway is set to face Ivory Coast in Dallas on June 30 for a spot in the last 16.

Senegal boosted their chances of making it to the last 32 with a 5-0 win over Iraq in their final group game. This victory improved their goal difference and marked their first points in the tournament.

With three points, Senegal now has to wait for the other group matches to finish. They hope they have done enough to move on to the knockout stage.