Ousmane Dembélé just did something no one has managed at a World Cup in over three decades. The French forward put three goals past Norway in the opening 32 minutes of their group-stage clash on June 26, completing the first first-half hat-trick at the tournament since 1994.
32 minutes, three goals, one statement
The performance brought Dembélé’s total to four goals across three group-stage matches in the 2026 World Cup. He had already set the tone earlier in the group stage, scoring and providing an assist in France’s 3-0 victory over Iraq on June 22.
The last player to score a first-half hat-trick at a World Cup did so in 1994, when the tournament was held in the United States. There’s a nice symmetry there, given that this expanded 48-team edition is being hosted across North America, with the tournament having kicked off on June 11.
Dembélé was named to France’s 26-man squad on May 14 this year.
