Norway vs France
Dembélé's hat-trick powers France past Norway
France's early blitz and late flourish secure a commanding 4-1 World Cup victory.
Ousmane Dembélé was the star of the show, netting a first-half hat-trick to put France firmly in control against Norway. Despite a quick reply from T. Aasgaard, France's dominance was clear, capped off by a late goal from D. Doué in stoppage time. Norway's missed penalty at 50' was a costly blow. Fipster's prediction of a French win was spot on, though the margin was more emphatic than expected.
Analysis
As the group stage nears its conclusion, Norway face a stern test against France. Both teams have shown strong form, but France's deeper squad calibre could prove decisive in this closely contested match.
Norway, with three prior World Cup appearances and a best finish of Round of 16 in 1998, topped their qualifying group with 24 points and a +32 goal difference. France, boasting 16 World Cup appearances and two titles (1998, 2018), also qualified directly, finishing first in their group with 16 points and a +12 goal difference. Neither team is hosting the tournament.
The match-up features a moderate calibre edge to France, with 24 of their 26 players competing in top-five European leagues, including stars like L. Hernández and O. Dembélé. Norway counters with 17 players in top leagues, led by E. Haaland. Norway's perfect recent form (five wins) is impressive, but France's strong run (four wins, one draw) and UEFA competition experience give them the upper hand. Tactical battles such as Haaland versus Upamecano will be key.
Prediction
Expect France to take an early lead, reflected in a predicted half-time score of 0-1. Norway will respond, but France's quality should secure a 2-1 victory. The game is likely to be competitive with around three cards shown, reflecting the high stakes and intensity.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Haaland vs Upamecano Duel
Haaland's scoring form challenges Upamecano's defensive solidity; key matchup for Norway's goal threat
France's Creative Midfield Dominance
Olise and Rabiot's high assist rates and passing accuracy give France an edge in chance creation
Mbappé's Recent Scoring Surge
Mbappé's 4 goals in last 2 matches boost France's attacking confidence and goal expectancy
Møller Wolfe's Offensive Support
Norway's defender Møller Wolfe provides attacking width and assists, potentially stretching France's defense
No Key Injuries Reported
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring strongest lineups and tactical consistency
Key Takeaways
This encounter promises a tight contest with France's superior squad depth likely tipping the scales. Norway's resilience and home advantage will keep them in the game, but the French flair and experience should see them through to a narrow win.
- Norway has 3 prior World Cup appearances; best finish: Round of 16 (1998).
- France has 16 prior World Cup appearances; best finish: Champions (1998, 2018).
- Norway topped their qualifying group with 24 points and a +32 goal difference.
- France topped their qualifying group with 16 points and a +12 goal difference.
- France's squad features 24 of 26 players in top-five European leagues.
- Norway's squad features 17 of 26 players in top-five European leagues.
- Norway's recent form is perfect with 5 wins in last 5 matches.
- France's recent form is strong with 4 wins and 1 draw in last 5 matches.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Norway
Away — France
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Dembélé
Assist: Mbappé
Berg
Yellow Card
Dembélé
Assist: Mbappé
Aasgaard
Assist: Schjelderup
Dembélé
Assist: Tchouaméni
Bjørkan
Thorstvedt
Thorstvedt
Bjørkan
Strand Larsen
Missed Penalty · Assist: Strand Larsen
Strand Larsen
Missed Penalty
Olise
Dembélé
Falchener
Tchouaméni
Yellow Card
Upamecano
Bobb
Schjelderup
Mbappé
Koundé
Doué
Assist: Barcola
Doué
Assist: Barcola
Match Statistics
Norway
4-3-3Starting XI
- 4L. ØstigårdD
- 6P. BergM
- 11J. Strand LarsenF
- 13E. SelvikG
- 14F. AursnesD
- 15F. BjørkanD
- 18K. ThorstvedtM
- 19T. AasgaardM
- 21A. SchjelderupF
- 22Oscar BobbF
- 25H. FalchenerD
Substitutes
- 1Ø. NylandG
- 2M. ThorsbyM
- 3K. AjerD
- 5D. Møller WolfeD
- 7A. SørlothF
- 8S. BergeM
- 9E. HaalandF
- 10M. ØdegaardM
- 12S. TangvikG
- 16M. PedersenD
- 17T. HeggemD
- 20A. NusaM
- 23J. HaugeM
- 24S. LangåsD
- 26J. RyersonD
France
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 4D. UpamecanoD
- 5J. KoundéD
- 6M. KonéM
- 7O. DembéléM
- 8A. TchouaméniM
- 10Kylian MbappéF
- 11M. OliseM
- 16M. MaignanG
- 19T. HernándezD
- 20D. DouéM
- 26M. LacroixD
Substitutes
- 1B. SambaG
- 2M. GustoD
- 3L. DigneD
- 9M. ThuramF
- 12B. BarcolaF
- 13N. KantéM
- 14A. RabiotM
- 15I. KonatéD
- 17W. SalibaD
- 18W. Zaïre-EmeryM
- 21L. HernándezD
- 22J. MatetaF
- 23R. RisserG
- 24R. CherkiM
- 25M. AklioucheM
Norway
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thelo Aasgaard | M | 90 | 7.9 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 |
| Oscar Bobb | F | 83 | 7.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Andreas Schjelderup | F | 83 | 7.2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1/4 |
| Egil Selvik | G | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kristian Thorstvedt | M | 45 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2/2 |
| Fredrik Aursnes | D | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| Patrick Berg(C) | M | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Fredrik André Bjørkan | D | 45 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Leo Østigård | D | 90 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | F | 90 | 5.9 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1/1 |
| Henrik Sælebakke Falchener | D | 66 | 5.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Erling Haaland | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kristoffer Ajer | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sander Berge | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alexander Sørloth | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ørjan Nyland | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Julian Ryerson | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Martin Ødegaard | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Torbjørn Heggem | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sander Tangvik | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| David Møller Wolfe | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marcus Pedersen | D | 45 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Antonio Nusa | M | 13 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Sondre Langås | D | 24 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Morten Thorsby | M | 45 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jens Petter Hauge | M | 13 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
France
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Dembélé | M | 65 | 10.0 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| Aurélien Tchouaméni | M | 90 | 7.9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1/1 |
| Kylian Mbappé(C) | F | 87 | 7.5 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1/3 |
| Mike Maignan | G | 90 | 7.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Désiré Doué | M | 90 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2/6 |
| Dayot Upamecano | D | 76 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/2 |
| Manu Koné | M | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/3 |
| Maxence Lacroix | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Michael Olise | M | 65 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/2 |
| Jules Koundé | D | 87 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Theo Hernández | D | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Lucas Hernández | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Adrien Rabiot | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| N'Golo Kanté | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lucas Digne | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marcus Thuram | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Brice Samba | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| William Saliba | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maghnes Akliouche | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Warren Zaïre-Emery | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Robin Risser | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bradley Barcola | F | 25 | 6.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — |
| Malo Gusto | D | 9 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ibrahima Konaté | D | 14 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rayan Cherki | M | 25 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | F | 9 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |