Dembele (7', 20', 32') scored the World Cup's second-fastest ever hat-trick ahead of a 94th-minute goal from Desire Doue, while Thelonious Aasgaard (21') scored the only goal for a much-changed Norway side as Jorgen Strand Larsen missed a second-half penalty.

Both teams had already secured their place in the knockout rounds of the competition, but while France made four changes to the side that beat Iraq, Norway opted to rest 10 players, with only Fredrik Aursnes retaining his place in the starting XI.

The gulf in class was evident from the off as Kylian Mbappe hit the crossbar inside the opening 25 seconds after France immediately sent the ball forward to their star man, although replays suggested Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik got a touch to the ball.

Selvik was then forced into a strong save to his left to keep out a driven strike from Michael Olise from the edge of the area after the Norwegians failed to clear their lines.

But there was no stopping Dembele from opening the scoring after just seven minutes. Set free by Mbappe, he danced into the penalty area before burying an unstoppable shot past Selvik.

Norway's first chance fell to Kristian Thorstvedt, but he failed to test Mike Maignan with an ambitious effort from distance.

Olise thought he had scored with a close-range effort in the 13th minute, but Fredrik Aursnes came out of nowhere to make a decisive block. Strand Larsen then wasted a great chance to level after expertly controlling a delivery from Aursnes, only to poke his effort wide.

Mbappe tested Selvik at his near post following a swift attacking move, but an in-form Dembele was beginning to steal the show as he netted his second goal of the game against Norway's second string with a scintillating left-footed curler beyond the outstretched Selvik.

There was an immediate response as Norway scored straight from the kick-off, with Aasgaard given time and space to pick his spot and guide the ball past Maignan.

Dembele then completed his first World Cup hat-trick in style with just 32 minutes played, effortlessly curling the ball into the bottom-left corner in a near carbon copy of his second goal.

France continued to press but could not add to their tally before the half-time break and nearly saw their lead reduced to just one goal four minutes into the second half as Oscar Bobb went down under the challenge of Theo Hernandez.

Strand Larsen stepped up but saw his spot-kick well saved by Maignan low to his left.

Leo Ostigard was not far wide with a glancing header from a 55th-minute corner, while Mbappe fired just past the top-right corner of the Norway goal as he continued to search for his first goal of the game.

Bobb looked to be the creative spark in Norway's attack but saw all the power taken out of his shot in the 64th minute, before Mbappe was thwarted at the other end with a blocked effort.

Maignan denied Bobb with a strong right hand and Patrick Berg had his low drive blocked as Norway enjoyed much of the ball in the closing stages without seriously threatening the scoreline.

France, though, were not done and Doue capped off a memorable performance with a goal deep into stoppage time.

While their Round of 32 opponent is not yet confirmed, Norway look set to face Ivory Coast on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

Senegal, meanwhile, kept their World Cup dream alive with a 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Iraq in their final Group I clash at Toronto Stadium.

Habib Diarra (4'), Ismaila Sarr (56'), Pape Gueye (59', 71') and Iliman-Cheikh Ndiaye (82') were all on target in a one-sided contest, while Rebin Sulaka was dismissed for an already-eliminated Iraq after just 13 minutes.

The Lions of Mesopotamia started well and enjoyed most of the possession, but the first chance of the match fell to Idrissa Gueye, whose shot was deflected around the post for an early corner.

Senegal needed no further invitation to take the lead with just four minutes on the clock. Abdoulaye Seck was free to head home, although Diarra was credited with the goal after getting the final touch to divert the ball beyond Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.

It went from bad to worse for Iraq as Sulaka was dismissed for pulling down Sadio Mane as he raced through on goal.

Basil denied Mane from the resulting free kick with an excellent one-handed save, and Iraq settled well after the red card, sitting deep in a low block and frustrating the Senegal attack.

Ismail Jakobs was wide with his effort in the 33rd minute after snatching at the ball from just inside the box. Mane then came within inches of doubling the lead after cutting inside, driving into the area, shrugging off a challenge and firing a powerful effort just over the top corner.

Senegal went into the half-time break one goal to the good but needing much greater attacking impetus in the second half if they were to add to their tally.

Mane was wasteful with a volley in the 52nd minute as Diarra headed over from close range, but the signs were there that Senegal were getting closer.

Substitute Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, on for the injured Basil, did well to deny Ismaila Sarr from a tight angle in the 52nd minute, but he could do nothing to stop the same player five minutes later.

A loss of possession by Zidane Iqbal outside his own penalty area was punished by Lamine Camara, who squared for Sarr to poke home.

Senegal extended their lead just two minutes later through a stunning strike from substitute Gueye, who scored with his first touches after coming on as he hammered the ball into the far top corner.

An important fourth goal arrived in the 71st minute through an even better strike from Gueye, and although Mane struck the post with a delicate chipped effort, Ndiaye, fresh from the bench, smashed home from fully 30 yards, leaving Hassan with no chance and giving Senegal a real opportunity to progress to the Round of 32 on goal difference.

They now face an anxious wait to discover their fate, while Iraq head home with three defeats.

Steve Barker in awe of current Stellenbosch squad