“Calculated gamble?!” Norway's B team thrashed by a dominant France rallying behind Ousmane Dembele's hat-trick

Norway rested ten first-team players against France to focus on their RO32 match against Ivory Coast. (Image credits - CommonsWikipedia, License Details)

France finished their group stage campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on a high note with a stunning victory over Norway. Ousmane Dembele, the Ballon d'Or winner, single-handedly secured the victory for Didier Deschamps' team with a sensational first-half hat-trick, the second fastest in World Cup history.

They finished first in the group with a perfect record and are expected to face Graham Potter's Sweden in the Round of 32.

The main talking point of the game, however, was not Dembele's hat-trick, but Norway's shocking decision to heavily rotate their lineup, resting ten first-team players and fielding a second-string side against one of the World Cup favourites.

Ståle Solbakken's lineup surprised many who expected Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé to face off on the world's biggest stage. With qualification already secured after consecutive victories over Iraq and Senegal, they chose to concentrate on the bigger picture: the knockout round.

While pundits argued that Norway would have had an easier path to the final if they had defeated France, the Norwegian manager saw things differently. Although the result ultimately went France's way, as expected given the lineup, Solbakken's approach has provided an intriguing glimpse into the balancing acts that managers must navigate during a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup.

France entered the game with their strongest lineup, and after demonstrating their quality in the previous two games, they maintained the same level of intensity in the final group game.

Didier Deschamps' side dominated possession from the start, creating chances on a regular basis and capitalising on Norway's second-string lineup. Dembele scored a spectacular first-half hat-trick, but Norway, despite making numerous changes, remained organised and disciplined.

They were also rewarded with a goal. Thelo Aasgaard hit a thunderous shot past Mike Maignan in goal. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when the French custodian saved Jorgen Strand Larsen's penalty. Desire Doue capped off a 4-1 victory over the Vikings late in the game.

Norway did not hand France easy opportunities, and their B team demonstrated a high level of commitment. However, the difference in experience between the two teams was clear as France made light work of securing a victory. France's incredible talent up front ensured that they continued to create chances while their midfield controlled the tempo of the game.

Norway competed bravely, but they were unable to provide the attacking output that has defined their team during their World Cup campaign. They struggled to establish themselves due to the absence of key players such as Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa, Martin Odegaard, and Alexander Sørloth.

Solbakken didn't care about winning three points in this game. He wanted to make sure Norway was in peak physical condition for the crucial knockout rounds.

He referred to the tournament as a "pressure cooker," claiming that the expanded format has increased players' physical demands, fatigue, and risk of injury. By resting key players, they reduced the likelihood of injuries and suspensions in the Round of 32.

In a tournament like this, a single injury or suspension can derail a team's World Cup campaign, and doing so in a group stage match with little at stake would be completely meaningless.

Solbakken therefore chose to rest his starting lineup, as the crucial game against Ivory Coast is far more important than chasing a positive result against France. This decision also allowed Norway's reserve players to play some minutes in the World Cup and gain valuable confidence going into the tournament.

For Norway, this defeat is insignificant, and if they perform well against the Ivory Coast, the manager's gamble will be vindicated. World Cups are not won in the group stages; the real competition begins in the knockout rounds.

Norway prioritised their physical well-being and ambition to advance in the tournament by foregoing three points in the group stage and an easier path to the final.