Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I
Full Time: Norway 1-4 France
Venue: Boston Stadium, Foxborough
Date: Friday, 26 June 2026
Norway vs France: France Finish Group Stage with Perfect Record
Norway vs France ended with a convincing 4-1 victory for France in the final Group I match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. France produced another dominant performance to finish the group stage with three wins from three matches and nine points.
Norway had already secured qualification for the Round of 32 before kickoff. As a result, they rested 10 of their 11 regular starters, including Erling Haaland. France took full advantage of the changed lineup, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring a first-half hat-trick to put the match beyond doubt before Désiré Doué added a late fourth goal in stoppage time.
Norway vs France Match Summary
France started brightly and controlled possession from the opening whistle. Their midfield moved the ball quickly, while the forwards combined effectively in the final third. Dembélé’s clinical finishing gave France complete control during the first half.
Norway showed greater intent after the break and created several opportunities. However, Jørgen Strand Larsen missed a penalty that could have reduced the deficit and changed the momentum. France remained composed for the rest of the match and sealed a comfortable 4-1 victory with Doué’s stoppage-time strike.
Norway vs France Match Stats
| Stat | Norway | France |
| Possession | 32% | 68% |
| Shots | 10 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 10 |
| Passes | 288 | 633 |
| Pass Accuracy | 82% | 89% |
| Fouls | 8 | 8 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 1 | 2 |
| Corners | 4 | 8 |
Tactical Analysis: Norway vs France
Norway vs France Showed France’s Attacking Efficiency
France controlled the match through patient possession and quick passing. Their midfield dictated the tempo, while the front line made intelligent runs behind Norway’s defence. Dembélé’s movement caused constant problems and allowed France to build a commanding first-half lead.
Norway vs France Reflected Norway’s Squad Rotation
Norway rotated heavily after securing qualification before the final group match. Although the changes reduced their usual attacking threat, they still created chances during the second half. Strand Larsen’s missed penalty proved costly, as France quickly regained control and comfortably saw out the result.
Norway vs France Final Group I Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1 | France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +8 | 9 |
| 2 | Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Iraq | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |
What the Result Means
France completed the group stage with a perfect nine points and advanced to the Round of 32 as Group I winners. Their attacking form and defensive consistency made them one of the strongest teams heading into the knockout rounds.
Norway also qualified after finishing second with six points. Despite the heavy defeat, their earlier victories secured progression. Senegal ended third with a positive goal difference and remained in contention as one of the best third-placed teams, while Iraq finished fourth after three defeats.
Key Takeaways from Norway vs France
The Norway vs France match highlighted France’s depth, attacking quality, and clinical finishing. Ousmane Dembélé’s first-half hat-trick laid the foundation for another impressive victory, while Désiré Doué completed the scoring late in the game.
Norway chose to rotate most of their starting lineup after already booking a place in the knockout stage. Even so, they remained competitive in the second half but could not recover after missing a crucial penalty. France now move into the Round of 32 full of confidence, while Norway will look to welcome back their regular starters for the knockout phase.
