by Craig Laycock
Original article:
France turned up the attacking heat in a devastating opening 30 minutes that saw Ousmane Dembélé net a 30 minute hat-trick to put a much-changed, but already-qualified, Norway on the back foot.
While Norway had moments where they found their way back into the game, including a missed penalty, they ultimately couldn’t cope with France’s attacking prowess.
In the other group game, Iraq did the memory of their 2026 World Cup no favours with a first half red card that led to an absolute tonking at the hands of Senegal, which improves the African nation's last 32 qualification hopes significantly.
***
Norway 1 - 4 France
Even in a final group game where both sides were already qualified, France didn’t relent in their attacking intent, starting this game at a blistering pace to take an early lead and keep Norway on the back foot throughout.
In fact, the French started as they meant to go on in the very first minute with an Mbappe sighter that was tipped just over the bar from an acute angle. A warning, perhaps, of what was to come down that side as the Norwegian left-back went through the wars in the first half.
Next up it was Ousmane Dembélé’s turn to have a go, and his 7th minute effort found the back of the net in style after he cut inside and outside before smashing one home. As if they hadn’t learned from that, Norway conceded again in the 20th minute, and it was Dembélé again showing why he won the Ballon D’Or, with an almost identical unstoppable strike.
Norway found a way back into it in the 22nd minute with Thelo Aasgaard the creator. He jinked in the box and found space to get away a shot which rippled the back of Mike Maignan’s net.
So, into the first hydration break and 3 goals already in the bag, but that wasn’t all we were going to see in this game. Can you guess what happened next? Ousmane Dembélé cut to his left foot from the middle of the box and curled it home for his hattrick in just the 32nd minute. Three very similar goals.
At the other end, Norway had a penalty awarded after Oscar Bobb went down in the box. Jorgen Strand Larsen stood up to take it, and it was a shocking effort in truth: a stuttered run-up and poor side-footed effort very easily read by the keeper, who saved it.
The second half dropped off a gear or two in truth, with France substituting the deadly Dembélé and Olise and Norway seemingly saving energy for their Round of 32 game. Oscar Bobb proved lively though and almost scored in the 71st minute, his effort from the right hand side of the 6 yard box saved after a wonderful pass from Aasgaard to play him in.
France put the icing on the cake with a beautiful cushioned header from Doue in the 93rd minute.
***
Senegal 5 - 0 Iraq
Senegal beat an already-knocked out 10 man Iraq by a strong scoreline to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the last 32 as one of the top 8 third placed teams.
If the die wasn’t cast immediately for Iraq, it was certainly threatening to be, with a 4th minute goal from Senegal’s Seck, who headed home from a corner. And then that pesky die was, indeed, cast.
Rebin Sulaka pulled back Senegal’s main attacking threat Sadio Mane, and in the process earned himself a red card for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Ouch, a long match ahead.
Either of these two teams needed a big win to qualify, and after that incident you got the impression it was far more likely to be Senegal. And so it proved.
In the second half, the floodgates opened somewhat. Senegal doubled their lead through Sarr’s 56th minute finish inside the 6 yard box, and they made it three in the 59th minute with a fantastic strike from Pape Gueye, who had been on the pitch for just over a minute after coming on as a sub.
And that man Gueye was there again in the 71st minute to hammer home Senegal’s fourth. Ndiaye added another in the 82nd minute.
They currently sit 5th in the top 8 third placed teams on three points with a +2 GD. It should be enough. We’ll have to see what happens in the remaining group stage games, but Senegal have done their best to put themselves in the driving seat.
Iraq go home with 0 points and a -11 GD.
***
Final table:
1st - Group Winners | France |
2nd - Qualified | Norway |
3rd - Must finish as one of top 8 3rd teams | Senegal |
4th - Eliminated | Iraq |
10 min read
Group I Concludes: France imperious, Senegal batter Iraq
Haaland rested as Dembele hat-trick undoes the Norwegians.
10 min read
France turned up the attacking heat in a devastating opening 30 minutes that saw Ousmane Dembélé net a 30 minute hat-trick to put a much-changed, but already-qualified, Norway on the back foot.
While Norway had moments where they found their way back into the game, including a missed penalty, they ultimately couldn’t cope with France’s attacking prowess.
In the other group game, Iraq did the memory of their 2026 World Cup no favours with a first half red card that led to an absolute tonking at the hands of Senegal, which improves the African nation's last 32 qualification hopes significantly.
***
Norway 1 - 4 France
Even in a final group game where both sides were already qualified, France didn’t relent in their attacking intent, starting this game at a blistering pace to take an early lead and keep Norway on the back foot throughout.
In fact, the French started as they meant to go on in the very first minute with an Mbappe sighter that was tipped just over the bar from an acute angle. A warning, perhaps, of what was to come down that side as the Norwegian left-back went through the wars in the first half.
Next up it was Ousmane Dembélé’s turn to have a go, and his 7th minute effort found the back of the net in style after he cut inside and outside before smashing one home. As if they hadn’t learned from that, Norway conceded again in the 20th minute, and it was Dembélé again showing why he won the Ballon D’Or, with an almost identical unstoppable strike.
Norway found a way back into it in the 22nd minute with Thelo Aasgaard the creator. He jinked in the box and found space to get away a shot which rippled the back of Mike Maignan’s net.
So, into the first hydration break and 3 goals already in the bag, but that wasn’t all we were going to see in this game. Can you guess what happened next? Ousmane Dembélé cut to his left foot from the middle of the box and curled it home for his hattrick in just the 32nd minute. Three very similar goals.
At the other end, Norway had a penalty awarded after Oscar Bobb went down in the box. Jorgen Strand Larsen stood up to take it, and it was a shocking effort in truth: a stuttered run-up and poor side-footed effort very easily read by the keeper, who saved it.
The second half dropped off a gear or two in truth, with France substituting the deadly Dembélé and Olise and Norway seemingly saving energy for their Round of 32 game. Oscar Bobb proved lively though and almost scored in the 71st minute, his effort from the right hand side of the 6 yard box saved after a wonderful pass from Aasgaard to play him in.
France put the icing on the cake with a beautiful cushioned header from Doue in the 93rd minute.
***
Senegal 5 - 0 Iraq
Senegal beat an already-knocked out 10 man Iraq by a strong scoreline to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the last 32 as one of the top 8 third placed teams.
If the die wasn’t cast immediately for Iraq, it was certainly threatening to be, with a 4th minute goal from Senegal’s Seck, who headed home from a corner. And then that pesky die was, indeed, cast.
Rebin Sulaka pulled back Senegal’s main attacking threat Sadio Mane, and in the process earned himself a red card for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Ouch, a long match ahead.
Either of these two teams needed a big win to qualify, and after that incident you got the impression it was far more likely to be Senegal. And so it proved.
In the second half, the floodgates opened somewhat. Senegal doubled their lead through Sarr’s 56th minute finish inside the 6 yard box, and they made it three in the 59th minute with a fantastic strike from Pape Gueye, who had been on the pitch for just over a minute after coming on as a sub.
And that man Gueye was there again in the 71st minute to hammer home Senegal’s fourth. Ndiaye added another in the 82nd minute.
They currently sit 5th in the top 8 third placed teams on three points with a +2 GD. It should be enough. We’ll have to see what happens in the remaining group stage games, but Senegal have done their best to put themselves in the driving seat.
Iraq go home with 0 points and a -11 GD.
***
Final table:
1st - Group Winners | France |
2nd - Qualified | Norway |
3rd - Must finish as one of top 8 3rd teams | Senegal |
4th - Eliminated | Iraq |
Group I Concludes: France imperious, Senegal batter Iraq
Haaland rested as Dembele hat-trick undoes the Norwegians.
Original article:
Last updated:
France turned up the attacking heat in a devastating opening 30 minutes that saw Ousmane Dembélé net a 30 minute hat-trick to put a much-changed, but already-qualified, Norway on the back foot.
While Norway had moments where they found their way back into the game, including a missed penalty, they ultimately couldn’t cope with France’s attacking prowess.
In the other group game, Iraq did the memory of their 2026 World Cup no favours with a first half red card that led to an absolute tonking at the hands of Senegal, which improves the African nation's last 32 qualification hopes significantly.
***
Norway 1 - 4 France
Even in a final group game where both sides were already qualified, France didn’t relent in their attacking intent, starting this game at a blistering pace to take an early lead and keep Norway on the back foot throughout.
In fact, the French started as they meant to go on in the very first minute with an Mbappe sighter that was tipped just over the bar from an acute angle. A warning, perhaps, of what was to come down that side as the Norwegian left-back went through the wars in the first half.
Next up it was Ousmane Dembélé’s turn to have a go, and his 7th minute effort found the back of the net in style after he cut inside and outside before smashing one home. As if they hadn’t learned from that, Norway conceded again in the 20th minute, and it was Dembélé again showing why he won the Ballon D’Or, with an almost identical unstoppable strike.
Norway found a way back into it in the 22nd minute with Thelo Aasgaard the creator. He jinked in the box and found space to get away a shot which rippled the back of Mike Maignan’s net.
So, into the first hydration break and 3 goals already in the bag, but that wasn’t all we were going to see in this game. Can you guess what happened next? Ousmane Dembélé cut to his left foot from the middle of the box and curled it home for his hattrick in just the 32nd minute. Three very similar goals.
At the other end, Norway had a penalty awarded after Oscar Bobb went down in the box. Jorgen Strand Larsen stood up to take it, and it was a shocking effort in truth: a stuttered run-up and poor side-footed effort very easily read by the keeper, who saved it.
The second half dropped off a gear or two in truth, with France substituting the deadly Dembélé and Olise and Norway seemingly saving energy for their Round of 32 game. Oscar Bobb proved lively though and almost scored in the 71st minute, his effort from the right hand side of the 6 yard box saved after a wonderful pass from Aasgaard to play him in.
France put the icing on the cake with a beautiful cushioned header from Doue in the 93rd minute.
***
Senegal 5 - 0 Iraq
Senegal beat an already-knocked out 10 man Iraq by a strong scoreline to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the last 32 as one of the top 8 third placed teams.
If the die wasn’t cast immediately for Iraq, it was certainly threatening to be, with a 4th minute goal from Senegal’s Seck, who headed home from a corner. And then that pesky die was, indeed, cast.
Rebin Sulaka pulled back Senegal’s main attacking threat Sadio Mane, and in the process earned himself a red card for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Ouch, a long match ahead.
Either of these two teams needed a big win to qualify, and after that incident you got the impression it was far more likely to be Senegal. And so it proved.
In the second half, the floodgates opened somewhat. Senegal doubled their lead through Sarr’s 56th minute finish inside the 6 yard box, and they made it three in the 59th minute with a fantastic strike from Pape Gueye, who had been on the pitch for just over a minute after coming on as a sub.
And that man Gueye was there again in the 71st minute to hammer home Senegal’s fourth. Ndiaye added another in the 82nd minute.
They currently sit 5th in the top 8 third placed teams on three points with a +2 GD. It should be enough. We’ll have to see what happens in the remaining group stage games, but Senegal have done their best to put themselves in the driving seat.
Iraq go home with 0 points and a -11 GD.
***
Final table:
1st - Group Winners | France |
2nd - Qualified | Norway |
3rd - Must finish as one of top 8 3rd teams | Senegal |
4th - Eliminated | Iraq |
10 min read
Group I Concludes: France imperious, Senegal batter Iraq
Haaland rested as Dembele hat-trick undoes the Norwegians.
France turned up the attacking heat in a devastating opening 30 minutes that saw Ousmane Dembélé net a 30 minute hat-trick to put a much-changed, but already-qualified, Norway on the back foot.
While Norway had moments where they found their way back into the game, including a missed penalty, they ultimately couldn’t cope with France’s attacking prowess.
In the other group game, Iraq did the memory of their 2026 World Cup no favours with a first half red card that led to an absolute tonking at the hands of Senegal, which improves the African nation's last 32 qualification hopes significantly.
***
Norway 1 - 4 France
Even in a final group game where both sides were already qualified, France didn’t relent in their attacking intent, starting this game at a blistering pace to take an early lead and keep Norway on the back foot throughout.
In fact, the French started as they meant to go on in the very first minute with an Mbappe sighter that was tipped just over the bar from an acute angle. A warning, perhaps, of what was to come down that side as the Norwegian left-back went through the wars in the first half.
Next up it was Ousmane Dembélé’s turn to have a go, and his 7th minute effort found the back of the net in style after he cut inside and outside before smashing one home. As if they hadn’t learned from that, Norway conceded again in the 20th minute, and it was Dembélé again showing why he won the Ballon D’Or, with an almost identical unstoppable strike.
Norway found a way back into it in the 22nd minute with Thelo Aasgaard the creator. He jinked in the box and found space to get away a shot which rippled the back of Mike Maignan’s net.
So, into the first hydration break and 3 goals already in the bag, but that wasn’t all we were going to see in this game. Can you guess what happened next? Ousmane Dembélé cut to his left foot from the middle of the box and curled it home for his hattrick in just the 32nd minute. Three very similar goals.
At the other end, Norway had a penalty awarded after Oscar Bobb went down in the box. Jorgen Strand Larsen stood up to take it, and it was a shocking effort in truth: a stuttered run-up and poor side-footed effort very easily read by the keeper, who saved it.
The second half dropped off a gear or two in truth, with France substituting the deadly Dembélé and Olise and Norway seemingly saving energy for their Round of 32 game. Oscar Bobb proved lively though and almost scored in the 71st minute, his effort from the right hand side of the 6 yard box saved after a wonderful pass from Aasgaard to play him in.
France put the icing on the cake with a beautiful cushioned header from Doue in the 93rd minute.
***
Senegal 5 - 0 Iraq
Senegal beat an already-knocked out 10 man Iraq by a strong scoreline to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the last 32 as one of the top 8 third placed teams.
If the die wasn’t cast immediately for Iraq, it was certainly threatening to be, with a 4th minute goal from Senegal’s Seck, who headed home from a corner. And then that pesky die was, indeed, cast.
Rebin Sulaka pulled back Senegal’s main attacking threat Sadio Mane, and in the process earned himself a red card for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Ouch, a long match ahead.
Either of these two teams needed a big win to qualify, and after that incident you got the impression it was far more likely to be Senegal. And so it proved.
In the second half, the floodgates opened somewhat. Senegal doubled their lead through Sarr’s 56th minute finish inside the 6 yard box, and they made it three in the 59th minute with a fantastic strike from Pape Gueye, who had been on the pitch for just over a minute after coming on as a sub.
And that man Gueye was there again in the 71st minute to hammer home Senegal’s fourth. Ndiaye added another in the 82nd minute.
They currently sit 5th in the top 8 third placed teams on three points with a +2 GD. It should be enough. We’ll have to see what happens in the remaining group stage games, but Senegal have done their best to put themselves in the driving seat.
Iraq go home with 0 points and a -11 GD.
***
Final table:
1st - Group Winners | France |
2nd - Qualified | Norway |
3rd - Must finish as one of top 8 3rd teams | Senegal |
4th - Eliminated | Iraq |
10 min read