Norway coach Stale Solbakken has defended his decision to field a reserves team against France, after a 4-1 defeat saw the hosts secure top spot in World Cup Group I. Solbakken made 10 changes to his starting line-up, leaving stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard on the bench for the entire match.
Dembele hat-trick stuns Norway
With France coach Didier Deschamps absent due to his mother's death, assistant Guy Stephan took charge. Ousmane Dembele scored a stunning first-half hat-trick, striking three times in the opening 32 minutes. Kylian Mbappe failed to register a goal for the first time in the tournament but crafted two assists, including a late header from Desire Doue.
Norway's only response came through Thelo Aasgaard, who fired past Mike Maignan after a fine solo run. However, a missed penalty by Jorgen Strand Larsen ended any hopes of a comeback.
Solbakken defends resting stars
Solbakken insisted the decision was made with player welfare in mind. "It was a no-brainer, for me, for the physio and for the medical staff, and for some of the players themselves," he said. "They all said it would be difficult for many of them, and then the only consideration is of course the fans in Norway and here. They would have wanted to see Erling and Martin but we want to go as far as we can so it was a no-brainer."
Norway had already secured a place in the Round of 32 before the match, prompting Solbakken to prioritise freshness for the knockout stages.
Fan reaction divided
Many fans expressed anger at missing the chance to see Haaland face Mbappe. "Haaland and Norway are an embarrassment and cowards for not playing France. They should pay the fans who spent a ton of money to watch them play. What a disgrace," one fan posted. Another wrote: "Imagine paying thousands of dollars and not putting ya best team out there for fans that travel from afar."
However, others supported the strategy. "I get your point but these teams had very different expectations going into this tournament and it's clear Norway care more about staying healthy and focus on their knockout game which they already clinched," one comment read. Another noted: "This is tournament footy. It always delivers dead rubbers and managing your way through a tournament is a key part of strategy."
France dominate from the start
France almost led after 22 seconds when Mbappe smashed a shot against the underside of the crossbar, with goalkeeper Egil Selvik getting a fingertip to the effort. Selvik then denied Jules Kounde and Manu Kone in quick succession. The breakthrough came after seven minutes as Mbappe's superb crossfield pass released Dembele, who weaved inside and out before firing home.
Norway threatened through Strand Larsen, who controlled a high ball before shooting over, but Mbappe soon forced another save from Selvik. Mbappe created Dembele's second in the 20th minute by shrugging off Leo Ostigard before picking out the winger, who cut inside and curled a superb effort beyond Selvik.
France had barely finished celebrating when Norway replied. Andreas Schjelderup released Aasgaard, whose body swerve wrong-footed two defenders before he fired past Maignan. Dembele completed his treble after a patient team move, once again cutting inside to curl a shot into the far corner.
Missed chances for Norway
France almost had a fourth when Doue pounced on a poor backpass but could not get around Selvik. Norway were handed a route back into the contest when Oscar Bobb was fouled by Theo Hernandez, but Larsen's tame penalty was pushed away by Maignan. Mbappe continued his search for a goal but fired over before being withdrawn late on. Bobb could have set up a grandstand finish but shot straight at Maignan before Doue had the final say.
