Ousmane Dembélé was the standout player in the Équipe Tricolore’s 4-1 (3-1) victory over a completely revamped Norwegian side. The attacking star of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain scored in the 7th, 20th, and 32nd minutes, silencing critics who had grown vocal after the World Cup opener. Kylian Mbappé shone as a two-time assist provider.
Norway pulled one back through Thelo Aasgaard (21st minute) to make it 2-1 temporarily. After the break, Jörgen Strand Larsen, who replaced Erling Haaland, missed a penalty kick saved by goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Désiré Doué (90+4) scored the final goal. Haaland sat on the bench for the entire match – the anticipated “clash of the giants” with Mbappé never materialized.
France won all three group games for the first time since 1998 – a campaign that ended with their first World Cup title. Should both Germany and France win their round-of-16 matches, they would meet on July 4 in Philadelphia. France’s knockout-stage opponent is not yet determined; possible opponents are Sweden and Paraguay. Norway, already qualified for the knockout stage before the match, will face Ivory Coast.
France coach Didier Deschamps was absent due to the death of his mother; his assistant Guy Stéphan took charge on the sidelines.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
