Ousmane Dembélé scored the second-fastest hat trick in World Cup history on Friday. He netted three goals in 32 minutes in a 4-1 win over Norway.
What happened?
Dembélé's first goal came just minutes into the game with a slick right-footed shot. Less than 14 minutes later, he added a second. And then in the 32nd minute, he made it three.
Erich Probst is the only player to score a hat trick faster than Dembélé, doing it 72 years ago for Austria. Probst scored his three goals in 24 minutes in his team's win over Czechoslovakia.
Why it matters for Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé, the reigning men's Ballon d'Or winner, is now right on the heels of Lionel Messi and tied with his France teammate Kylian Mbappé in the race for the 2026 Golden Boot. Messi has five goals through four games.
Dembélé, Mbappé, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior, and Norway's Erling Haaland are tied in second with four goals. Haaland didn't start on Friday for Norway as the team made 10 changes.
What comes next?
France would head into the halftime break up 3-1 due to a goal from Norway’s Thelo Aasgaard, but Les Bleus got another one in stoppage time from Desire Doue to win 4-1. Norway and France were already safely into the knockout rounds as the group's top two teams.
The guarantee was clearly enough for Norway, which would play Ivory Coast if it finishes second in the group while the group winner will play a third-place team in the Round of 32. Dembélé's performance on Friday has put him in a strong position to win the Golden Boot.
He will look to continue his scoring streak in the upcoming games. With his current form, Dembélé is a strong contender for the award. His goals have been crucial in France's success so far in the tournament.
The French team will look to build on their win over Norway. They have a strong squad and are one of the favorites to win the World Cup. Dembélé's hat trick has given them a boost in confidence.
The Golden Boot race is heating up, with several players still in contention. Dembélé will need to continue scoring to stay ahead of his rivals. The next few games will be crucial in determining the winner of the award.
Dembélé's performance on Friday was impressive. He scored his three goals across 26 minutes, showing his skill and speed on the field. His goals were well-taken, and he showed why he is one of the best players in the world.
The World Cup has seen some great performances so far. Dembélé's hat trick is one of the highlights of the tournament. He will look to continue his good form and help France win the World Cup.
The French team has a tough road ahead. They will face strong opposition in the knockout rounds. But with Dembélé in their squad, they have a good chance of winning the tournament.
Dembélé's hat trick has made him a favorite to win the Golden Boot. He will need to continue scoring to stay ahead of his rivals. The next few games will be exciting, with several players still in contention for the award.