France delivered a statement performance in their final World Cup group stage match, thrashing a much-changed Norway 5-1 in Boston. The victory, which saw Ousmane Dembele score a hat-trick, showcased the depth of Les Bleus' attacking talent and reinforced their status as tournament favorites.
France's Attacking Onslaught
France wasted no time asserting dominance. Within 30 seconds, Kylian Mbappe raced onto an Ousmane Dembele through ball and rattled the crossbar. The opener came in the seventh minute when Mbappe turned playmaker, hitting a superb first-time diagonal ball to Dembele, who jinked into the area and rifled home. Dembele added two more before halftime—near carbon copies of the first, whipped into the top-left corner from the right-hand side of the box.
The rout continued in the second half, with Desire Doue heading home from Bradley Barcola's cross in the 94th minute to make it 5-1. Norway's consolation came from Thelo Aasgaard, who scored after beating Dayot Upamecano with a deft feint.
Tactical Adjustment Unlocks Norway's Defense
The key to France's dominance was a minor tactical tweak. Michael Olise, generally employed on the right wing, traded places with usual No. 10 Ousmane Dembele. This switch allowed Dembele to use his lightning pace against Norway's left-back Fredrik Andre Bjorkan, who was left helpless. Olise, meanwhile, roamed freely between the lines as a deep playmaker, stretching Norway's defense.
Guy Stephan, Deschamps' assistant, downplayed the ploy at full-time, saying, "It is not a question you need to ask yourself." But its effect against a weakened Norway side was undeniable.
Defensive Concerns Emerge
Despite the emphatic win, France's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. Norway's second-string attack created several chances, with Aasgaard's goal coming too easily. Theo Hernandez conceded a second-half penalty after diving in on Oscar Bobb, though he was not helped by Manu Kone's missed tackle. Maxence Lacroix, replacing William Saliba in the starting XI, was unconvincing.
Stephan acknowledged the imbalance: "We have a great team which sparkles and can shine. There is a lot of dribbling, a lot of one-twos. And of course, what happens then, sometimes there is an imbalance. You need to compensate for it."
Depth and Confidence Shine
France's embarrassment of riches was on full display. With Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and Alexander Sorloth rested for Norway's knockout meeting with Ivory Coast, France's star-studded lineup—including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise—ran riot. Stephan kept France's collective cards close to his chest but suggested their frontline boasts enough talent that it transcends the need for fixed positions.
If any team manages to beat France this summer, it will be the one that keeps those forwards quiet. None has yet succeeded. It remains to be seen if any will.
