STAR SPORTS DESK

France, tipped as one of the likeliest teams to go all the way in this World Cup in North America, showed exactly why on Saturday, with Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe combining to devastating effect and striking fear into opposition defences. Dembele scored one of the earliest hattricks in World Cup history, with Mbappe assisting two of his goals, as Les Bleus thrashed a second-string Norway 4-1 in their final Group I game in Boston. With both teams already securing a place in the Round of 32, Norway raised eyebrows by leaving premier striker Erling Haaland on the bench throughout the game.