Norway v France – World Cup result as Ousmane Dembele’s first-half hat-trick and a late header from Desire Doue sees Les Bleus top Group I

Ousmane Dembele struck the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history as France topped Group I courtesy of 4-1 win over second-placed Norway in Boston.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward cut in from the right to fire home a seventh-minute opener after Kylian Mbappe had offered an ominous warning of what was to come when he struck the post inside just 22 seconds.

Les Bleus, who were without coach Didier Deschamps due to the sad passing of his mother, doubled their lead 13 minutes later with Dembele again the man on target as he curled in a superb 20-yard strike.

Norway, who had made 10 changes to their line-up that included benching four-goal Erling Haaland, reduced the arrears seconds later through a smart finish from Thelo Aasgaard.

However, the half belonged to Dembele who was again afforded too much space on the right and once more found that far corner to restore the two-goal cushion on 32 minutes.

Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen had a chance to pull one back for Stale Solbakken’s men from the spot, but his 50th-minute penalty was well saved by Mike Maignan.

Desire Doue then added the icing to the cake with a headed fourth deep into stoppage time.

Norway’s second string offered little overall, but were already guaranteed a top two spot and will now face Ivory Coast in the round of 32 in Dallas on Tuesday. Meanwhile. as it stands, France will meet Sweden in New Jersey on Tuesday.

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Will Les Bleus go all the way?

Well, they are going to take some stopping on the evidence of their Group I exploits.

”He (Norway coach Stale Solbakken) won’t be too disappointed. As I mentioned, the team that he picked (with 10 changes) suggests how important he sees his next fixture (in the round of 32).

The TNT Sports expert, speaking in his role as ITV co-commentator, added: ”France, excellent in the first half, they have by far the best front four in the competition by some stretch. In the second half they were not as good, but they are the best team I’ve seen so far (in the tournament).”

That's the icing on the cake!

Doue powers a lovely header home from Barcola's left-wing cross.

Hernandez marauds forward from left back, but a rush of blood sees him thunder a hopeful 30-yarder way over the crossbar.

Five minutes added.

France will top Group I with three wins from three.

Norway will finish three points further back in second with two victories from their three outings.

Senegal are well on course to finish third with a thumping win over Iraq, who will end up rock bottom.

Will it be the key to securing a third World title for Les Bleus?

Barcola moves through the gears to leave a pair of Norway defenders in his rear-view mirror, but his cross-shot from tight to the left byline is blocked away by Selvik.

The Scandinavians have done most of the probing in this second period without reward.

This time some dangerous play down the left ends with a loose ball dropping to Berg, but his low 20-yarder is well blocked.

Tchouamei booked for a late challenge on Thelo Aasgaard.

Bobb is sent free on the right side of the box, but the Fulham star is left with his face in his hands after firing a tame shot that is too close to Maignan.