Dembele’s 32-Minute Masterclass Sinks Norway
The marquee matchup of the day was supposed to be Kylian Mbappe vs. Erling Haaland. Instead, Ousmane Dembele stole the show with a brilliant hat-trick in just 32 first-half minutes at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
France 4 – 1 Norway
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 7′ | ⚽ Dembele opens the scoring (1-0) |
| 20′ | ⚽ Dembele doubles the lead (2-0) |
| 21′ | ⚽ Aasgaard pulls one back for Norway (2-1) |
| 32′ | ⚽ Dembele completes hat-trick (3-1) |
| 90+4′ | ⚽ Doue seals it in stoppage time (4-1) |
The French front three of Mbappe, Dembele, and Desire Doue were simply unplayable. Dembele’s three goals came from a mix of blistering pace, clinical finishing, and clever off-ball movement that Norway’s defense simply could not handle. Erling Haaland was largely isolated up front, with France’s backline marshaled by Dayot Upamecano keeping the Manchester City star quiet throughout.
The result means France finishes top of Group I with a perfect 9 points — the first time since 1998 that Les Bleus have won every group game at a World Cup. Norway advances as the group runner-up with 6 points despite the loss.
Group I Final Standings
| Team | Pts | GD | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | 9 | +8 | ✅ Qualified (Group Winner) |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 6 | +2 | ✅ Qualified |
| 🇸🇳 Senegal | 3 | −2 | ❌ Eliminated |
| 🇮🇶 Iraq | 0 | −12 | ❌ Eliminated |
Senegal 5-0 Iraq — Dominant Display
In Toronto, Senegal put on a clinical clinic against Iraq, winning 5-0 to close out their Group I campaign. While it wasn’t enough to overtake Norway for the automatic qualifying spot, the emphatic result puts Senegal in contention for one of the eight third-place knockout slots with a +3 goal difference in their favor.
Tonight’s Remaining Matches (June 26)
The drama continues with four more massive games:
| Match | Group | Venue | Time (ET) | Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇾 Uruguay vs. 🇪🇸 Spain | H | Estadio Guadalajara | 8 PM | Winner takes Group H |
| 🇨🇻 Cape Verde vs. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | H | NRG Stadium, Houston | 8 PM | Cape Verde can jump to 2nd |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs. 🇧🇪 Belgium | G | BC Place, Vancouver | 11 PM | Belgium must win to advance |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt vs. 🇮🇷 Iran | G | Lumen Field, Seattle | 11 PM | Winner likely tops Group G |
Spain vs. Uruguay is the headline matchup. Spain has been clinical so far (4-0 vs. Saudi Arabia, 0-0 vs. Cape Verde), while Uruguay’s physical style could cause problems. A win for either side locks up first place in Group H.
Big Names Already Eliminated
Seven teams have been sent packing so far: Haiti, Tunisia, Panama, Qatar, Czechia, Curacao — and as of today, Iraq and Senegal join the list. The biggest shocks? Germany was eliminated on Thursday after a stunning 2-1 loss to Ecuador, and the United States crashed out in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Turkey at SoFi Stadium despite an electric first-half performance.
FAQ
Who has qualified for the Round of 32 so far?
Confirmed qualifiers include: Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, USA, Australia, Germany, Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, France, Norway, Argentina, Colombia, and more being decided tonight.
Where can I watch World Cup 2026 matches in the US?
Matches are broadcast on FOX, FS1, and streaming on fubo (free trial available for new subscribers). Check local listings for specific matches.
How does the new 48-team format work?
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance automatically, plus the eight best third-placed teams. That means 32 teams make the knockout stage instead of 16 — giving more nations a shot at glory.
When does the Round of 32 start?
The group stage wraps up this weekend with Groups J, K, and L playing their final matches. The Round of 32 kicks off next week with knockout action across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
What’s Next
The 2026 World Cup group stage concludes this weekend, and the knockout rounds promise even more drama. Stay tuned to PC Master Deals for more World Cup coverage, including match previews, predictions, and analysis.