Ousmane Dembélé hat trick vs Norway ties Ronaldo in rare World Cup record

Dembélé's landmark day

Ousmane Dembélé produced a sensational display on June 27, scoring a hat trick as France cruised to a 4-1 win over Norway on Matchday 3 of World Cup Group I—an outcome that clinched top spot in the group and stamped France as one of the sides to watch heading into the knockout phase. This performance matters because it placed the Paris Saint-Germain forward into an extremely rare World Cup record and significantly boosted his standing in the Golden Boot race.

Why it matters: a unique World Cup milestone

By scoring three times while the reigning Ballon d'Or holder, Dembélé joined an exclusive quartet of players to achieve that feat at a World Cup. The list includes Eusébio (four goals vs North Korea in 1966), Karl‑Heinz Rummenigge (hat trick vs Chile in 1982), Cristiano Ronaldo (hat trick vs Spain in 2018) and now Dembélé. That rarity underlines the scale of the achievement and gives the French forward a moment of individual distinction on football's biggest stage.

Impact on the Golden Boot and France's knockout bid

Dembélé's treble against Norway lifted his tournament total to four goals when combined with the goal he scored against Iraq earlier in the group stage, moving him level with Vinícius Júnior, Erling Haaland and teammate Kylian Mbappé in the scoring charts. Lionel Messi remained the tournament leader on five goals after Argentina's group campaign. With the group stage concluded, Dembélé's form gives France an extra scoring option as they head into the Round of 32.

• Dembélé scored a hat trick in France's 4-1 win over Norway on Matchday 3 of Group I.
• He became the fourth Ballon d'Or holder in World Cup history to score a hat trick (joining Eusébio, Rummenigge and Cristiano Ronaldo).
• Dembélé's tournament tally reached four goals (one vs Iraq plus the Norway treble).
• France clinched top spot in Group I and will face Sweden in the Round of 32 on 30 June at New York New Jersey Stadium at 23:00 (per the source).
• Dembélé is now part of the Golden Boot conversation, level with Vinícius Júnior, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé on four goals; Lionel Messi leads with five.

What it means for France and the tournament

France finishing top of Group I secures a favourable position in the draw and allows them to prepare for the Round of 32 with momentum. Dembélé's form gives manager and teammates a proven attacking option alongside established scorers, and his entry into the Golden Boot conversation raises the stakes for France if they are to make a deep run. The match against Sweden on 30 June will be the next measure of how this form translates in the knockout rounds.

What happens next

France advance from the group stage and will meet Sweden in the Round of 32 at New York New Jersey Stadium on 30 June at 23:00, as reported. The tournament moves into knockout football, and Dembélé's form means he will be closely watched by opponents and fans alike as the Golden Boot race tightens and France aim to capitalise on their top‑of‑group status.