The fate of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been decided, with France finishing top of the group and Norway securing second place. Senegal, meanwhile, kept its hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive with an emphatic victory.
In one of the most entertaining matches of the group stage, France defeated Norway 4-1 at Boston Stadium.
Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a superb left-footed strike before doubling both his tally and France's lead with another brilliant effort in the 20th minute. Norway responded immediately through Thelo Aasgaard just a minute later, but Dembélé completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute with another trademark finish. Early in the second half, Norway was awarded a penalty in the 50th minute, but Mike Maignan denied Jørgen Strand Larsen with an excellent save. Désiré Doué capped the scoring with a stoppage-time header in the fourth minute of added time.
Meanwhile, at Toronto Stadium, Senegal cruised to a dominant 5-0 victory over Iraq.
Abdoulaye Seck gave the Lions of Teranga the lead in the fourth minute. Iraq's task became even more difficult after defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute. Ismaïla Sarr doubled Senegal's advantage in the 56th minute before Pape Gueye scored a spectacular long-range goal three minutes later. Gueye added his second with another thunderous strike in the 71st minute, while Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with a fine goal in the 82nd minute.
France finished top of Group I with a perfect nine points, while Norway secured second place with six points. Senegal's convincing victory lifted them to three points and strengthened their chances of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams. Iraq exited the tournament without earning a single point.
