FEATURE | Three things we learned as France beat Norway to top their group

FEATURE | Three things we learned as France beat Norway to top their group An excellent first half hour, featuring an Ousmane Dembélé hat-trick, gave France a 4-1 win over Norway’s B team, enabling les Bleus to top the group, give a few more squad members some game-time and ensure that the team can remain in the New York-Philadelphia-Boston area for the knock-out stages. Didier Deschamps, back at home following the passing of his mother, will return to an attack in fine form but with lingering questions over the defence. What a difference a goal makes! After taking 20 matches to score his first major tournament goal, it took Ousmane Dembélé just 32 minutes to score his next three! It was hoped that his goal against Iraq might free Dembélé from the pressure of being a Ballon d’Or yet to truly turn up for France and sure enough, he looked far more like his Paris Saint-Germain self as, three times in the first half, he cut in from the right to fire home, once with his right foot and twice with his left. Although helped by some poor defending, goals in two consecutive games – as well as showing that he has the fitness to play consecutive matches after a stop-start season, is great for both Dembélé and les Bleus . Kylian Mbappé the team player Despite all the pre-tournament hype, France vs Norway ended with no goals from either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappé! Haaland remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. As for Mbappé, although he hit the bar within the first 20 seconds, this wasn’t his afternoon goals-wise, with few chances coming his way in the first half and France rarely coming out of second gear in the second. However, he provided two assists for Dembélé and even put in a good defensive shift, pressing well and sprinting back a couple of times to help out his midfield. A good captain’s performance and a reminder, if it were needed, that he is much more than just a goalscorer. Defensive issues remain, despite Mike Maignan heroics At least Norway’s defence had the excuse of being their second string! France’s defence continued to look shaky at times – even the usually imperious Dayot Upamecano having a couple of hesitant moments. Norway’s first half goal, although brilliantly taken by Thelo Aasgaard, owed much to static French defending – with even Dembélé’s lack of urgency playing a part. Jules Koundé continues to struggle to show that he merits his place and Théo Hernandez’ lazy challenge gave away a penalty early in the second half. Luckily Mike Maignan kept the spot kick out, before saving les Bleus again after the defence was easily split open – a good confidence boost for him after his own recent bout of dodgy form.  Despite France’s free-scoring attack, can they win the World Cup with the defence looking this vulnerable? GFFN | Jeremy Smith