France beat Norway 4-1 to win Group I at World Cup 2026

France completed a perfect group-stage campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Norway 4-1 in an entertaining Group I encounter, securing maximum points and finishing as group winners.

The victory sends Didier Deschamps' side into the Round of 32 full of confidence after winning all three of their group matches for the first time since their triumphant 1998 World Cup campaign.

Norway, who had already secured qualification before kick-off, made wholesale changes to their starting lineup, resting several regular starters ahead of the knockout stage. The gamble ultimately failed to prevent France from producing one of their most complete attacking performances of the tournament.

France almost produced one of the fastest goals in World Cup history.

Only 22 seconds had elapsed when Kylian Mbappe burst into the penalty area before smashing an effort against the underside of the crossbar, leaving Norway scrambling from the opening whistle.

The early warning was followed by sustained French pressure as Manu Kone tested goalkeeper Egil Selvik before Les Bleus finally broke through.

Dembele inspires French attack

France's breakthrough arrived midway through the opening half when Ousmane Dembele finished clinically from inside the penalty area after clever attacking movement created space.

Norway briefly threatened an equaliser when Jorgen Strand Larsen volleyed over from close range, but France immediately punished the missed opportunity. A lightning-fast counterattack ended with Dembele curling a superb finish into the far corner to double France's advantage. The lead lasted only seconds.

Straight from the restart, Thelo Aasgaard responded brilliantly for Norway, weaving past defenders before firing into the bottom corner from outside the box to make it 2-1.

However, France restored their two-goal cushion before halftime as Dembele completed a superb first-half hat-trick, cutting inside onto his left foot before producing another clinical finish beyond Selvik.

Maignan produces crucial penalty save

Norway were handed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit early in the second half after Theo Hernandez was penalised for bringing down Oscar Bobb inside the area.

Strand Larsen stepped up from the penalty spot but Mike Maignan produced an outstanding save, becoming the first goalkeeper to deny a penalty at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The save effectively ended Norway's hopes of mounting a comeback. Bobb later tested Maignan again after breaking through the French defence, but the AC Milan goalkeeper remained equal to the effort.

Doue adds late finishing touch

France remained in complete control throughout the closing stages and added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time. Substitute Desire Doue headed home the fourth goal to complete an impressive team display and underline France's growing credentials as genuine contenders for the title.

What the result means

France finish Group I with a perfect nine points and will enter the Round of 32 as one of the tournament favourites after producing three consecutive victories.

Norway also progress despite defeat and will now prepare for a knockout meeting with Ivory Coast after successfully navigating the group stage.

With Mbappe, Dembele and an increasingly confident French attack firing on all cylinders, Les Bleus appear to be building momentum at exactly the right time as the competition moves into the knockout rounds.

SportsLigue