France knocked out after winning group with Dembele's hat-trick

Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Osmane Dembele set fire to their final match in Group 'I' at the World Cup against Norway. He entered the record books with a brilliant hat-trick. France easily defeated Norway to win the group. The two-time world champions won 4-1 in the final round of Group 'I' in Boston on Friday. As the tickets to the knockout stage were already confirmed by winning the first two matches, it was a battle to be the best in the group for both teams. France achieved its goal. They won all three matches. Norway, who suffered their first defeat in the tournament, finished as the group runners-up with 6 points. 
As both teams had already confirmed their last 32, the two coaches made major changes to the starting eleven in this high-voltage match. 

France head coach Didier Deschamps made four changes to the starting eleven compared to the previous match. He brought back young midfielder Desiree Dueck to the starting eleven to increase speed in midfield and attack. On the other hand, Norway coach Stal Solbakken took an even bigger gamble with the knockout stage in mind. He made 10 changes to the eleven and rested the team's two lifebloods, Erling Haaland and captain Martin Odegaard. France held Norway in check from the first second of the match. The French took the lead in the seventh minute of the match. PSG star Ousmane Dembele found the net with a great shot from inside the box. Kylian Mbappe assisted the goal. France did not reduce the edge of the attack even after the goal. Another excellent goal by Ousmane Dembele in the 20th minute of the match doubled the gap (2-0). However, Norway quickly signaled a return to the match. Thelonious Asgard equalized the gap 2-1 just 81 seconds after France's second goal. However, Norway's resistance did not last long. In the 32nd minute of the match, Dembele scored his third goal to complete his hat-trick and put the team ahead 3-1. Then, in extra time, Desiree Duey scored again to secure a 4-1 victory for France.
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