Dembele's second-fastest World Cup hat-trick fires France top as Tchouameni hits back at critics

Ousmane Dembele delivered the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history, completing his treble inside 32 minutes as France dismantled Norway 4-1 at Gillette Stadium in Boston on Friday. The result secured top spot in Group I for Les Bleus, who will now face Sweden in the Round of 32 in New Jersey.

Dembele was characteristically self-critical despite the historic performance, insisting it was his worst display of the tournament. “I’m happy, it’s a unique and important moment for me,” he said. “My performance was good, but I preferred my matches against Senegal or Iraq; I think I was much more influential. I now need to stay focused because important things are coming.”

Team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni was quick to defend the Ballon d’Or winner from outside doubters, making clear the dressing room has never shared the scepticism. “Dembele? You’re the ones with doubts, not us,” Tchouameni said. “We know who he is, what he’s capable of. He’s always laughing; he’s one of the most cheerful guys in the locker room. When he scores three goals, everyone is happy for him and now we’re staying focused for what’s to come.”

France’s attacking depth was further underlined by Kylian Mbappe, who now stands on four goals for the tournament, while Desire Doue also got on the scoresheet in Boston.

The win came with an emotional backdrop for the squad. Manager Didier Deschamps was absent following the passing of his mother but is expected to rejoin the group ahead of the Sweden fixture. Defender Maxence Lacroix, who impressed on his World Cup debut, acknowledged the occasion. “It’s also a victory for the coach, we had him in our hearts of course and we were thinking of him,” Lacroix said.

France’s defensive options also received a boost, with William Saliba — who missed Thursday’s training session with back pain — expected to return against Sweden. Saliba will likely be tasked with containing Arsenal team-mate Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.

The last time France won all three of their group-stage matches at a World Cup, they lifted the trophy. That was in 1998.