Dembélé hits a hat-trick for France as Spain edge through and Cabo Verde make history
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France finished the group stage in style, beating Norway 4-1 as Ousmane Dembélé scored a first-half hat-trick — among the fastest trebles in World Cup history, according to ESPN. With both sides already through, Norway rested several starters and France took full advantage to win Group I.
Spain topped Group H with a 1-0 win over Uruguay, Álex Baena scoring shortly before half-time after an error by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The result sent Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay out and, per Sky Sports, confirmed qualification for debutants Cabo Verde — the smallest nation by population ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage. The game ended badly for Uruguay, who had a player sent off late on.
Belgium rediscovered their form to thrash New Zealand 5-1 and top Group G, Leandro Trossard scoring twice with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also on target, according to Al Jazeera. New Zealand, who needed a win, went out.
The other Group G game finished 1-1 between Egypt and Iran, a late VAR decision ruling out what would have been an Iran winner, per Yahoo Sports, as Belgium overtook Egypt at the top.
Transfer and squad notes
Norway, already assured of their place, made wholesale changes against France and left Erling Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard among the substitutes, with Haaland an unused option, according to Yahoo Sports. Senegal, meanwhile, boosted their hopes of a best-third-placed spot by hammering 10-man Iraq 5-0 in the group's other fixture.
The United States closed their group with a 3-2 loss to Türkiye, conceded deep into stoppage time, but still advanced and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32; Christian Pulisic returned from injury as a substitute, per NBC News.
What it means for the league
The final group games are confirming the seeds — France and Spain as group winners, Belgium back to form — while the round of 32 takes its definitive shape. Cabo Verde's qualification is the standout underdog story, set against the exits of established sides such as Uruguay. With the knockout bracket nearly complete, attention now turns to the first elimination ties and the matchups they produce.