Mondial 2026: France Ends Group Stage With Style, Dembélé’s Hat-Trick Secures 3-0 Win Over Norway

France advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Norway on Tuesday, June 16, in a match that defied expectations by showcasing vibrant play despite lacking direct elimination stakes. Kylian Mbappé, the team’s star forward, delivered a hat-trick, cementing his status as a key figure in France’s World Cup campaign.

The result, confirmed by the official FIFA website, placed France top of Group C with six points, setting up a crucial Round of 16 clash against Portugal on June 21. Norway, who finished second in the group, will face Morocco in their own last-16 encounter.

“It was a pleasure to play today,” said France coach Didier Deschamps after the match. “We aimed to maintain our momentum, and the players executed the plan perfectly.”

What Happened: A Triumphant Group Stage Finale

The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, began with France dominating possession, as expected. Norway, known for their defensive resilience, struggled to break through France’s high press. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Mbappé, playing as a false nine, sliced through Norway’s midfield and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andreas Lundekvam.

France doubled their lead just before halftime when Mbappé collected a through ball from Antoine Dubois, cutting inside and firing into the bottom corner. The