First-half hat-trick for Dembele as France toy with Norway’s B team, Mbappe awaits his moment

Ousmane Dembele has scored a first-half hat-trick as France lead a second-string Norway 3-1 in their final Group I match of the FIFA World Cup in Boston.

In the 7th minute, Dembele toyed with the Norwegian defence on the right before cutting onto his right and unleashing a powerful shot past Egil Selvik, who has replaced Orjan Nyland.

Dembele bagged another in the 20th minute, with a graceful left-foot finish. A minute later, Thelo Aasgaard halved the deficit with a clinical strike.

But Dembele wasn't done yet, and he produced another masterful finish. It seemed a copy of his second goal, and all Selvik could do was watch and admire.

Norway have rested their chief targetman, Erling Haaland, and skipper Martin Odegaard, but the French have gone with a strong XI, despite resting a handful of regular starters. Star striker Kylian Mbappe is out on the green, just two goals short of Leo Messi's World Cup record of 18.

For Norway, topping Group I does not seem to be a priority, as they have confirmed their progress to the round of 32.

The winner of Group I will play one of the third-place finishers in New Jersey on Tuesday. The second-place team in the group will head to Arlington to face the Ivory Coast.