France vs. Norway: Demblé lands first World Cup 1st-half hat trick since 1994, Haaland benched

Ousmane Demblé scored a remarkable first-half hat trick as France defeated Norway in the 2026 World Cup, ending his long scoring drought at major tournaments, according to USA Today. The French superstar netted three goals in just 32 minutes at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, marking his fourth goal in three games at the tournament.

Subscribe to Chicago Star’s Weekly City Buzz Newsletter 

He opened the scoring seven minutes in after a great pass from Kylian Mbappé, then assisted Mbappé again before curling a left-footed shot into the far post. Demblé completed his hat trick by cutting onto his left foot and placing the ball inside the far corner. As reported by USA Today, this was the first first-half hat trick in a World Cup game since 1994.

Demblé entered the World Cup without scoring in 19 major international tournament games, USA Today confirmed, but has now found the net four times in three matches. The 29-year-old was scoreless in France’s opening win against Senegal before scoring in a victory over Iraq.

Read more on Chicago Star

• The World Cup may be the best birthday gift given to America as fans fall in love during their visit 

• Windy City Smokeout debuts “Beyond the Pit” culinary series with top chefs & exclusive dining

• Crown family heir Richard C. Goodman sells condo at 30 W. Oak St. in Chicago's Gold Coast

• The Windy State: Illinois smashes historic tornado record with most tornadoes in a year

• Broadway comes to Chicago! Idina Menzel, who played Elphaba in “Wicked,” debuts at Lyric Opera

• LiveLaunch helps online brands transition offline with opening of new Fulton Market retail hub

Fan favorite Erling Haaland dropped for strategic rest

Norway manager Stale Solbakken made the shock decision to drop Erling Haaland from the starting lineup, prioritizing rest for the round of 32, according to Sports Illustrated. Solbakken explained that tough decisions were needed in the tournament’s pressure cooker. 

“We don’t know how many games we will get. It is 100% certain that we will need to be rested for the round of 32 mentally and physically,” he said, citing the possibility of extra time or penalties. As reported by Sports Illustrated, Solbakken made 10 changes to his starting XI, dropping Haaland and the entire frontline.

Haaland’s goals are fundamental to Norway’s success, but Solbakken insisted his star striker remains focused on the team. “He has the killer instinct and wants to score, but his greater strength is that he puts the team first,” Solbakken said. The 58-year-old warned against greed, stating, “We should not become too greedy. We have to be smarter than greedy.”