Dembele scores stunning hat-trick as France thrash Norway 4-1 

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele delivered a sensational first-half hat-trick as France defeated Norway 4-1 on Friday to finish top of Group I with a perfect record at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward struck three times inside the opening 32 minutes at Gillette Stadium near Boston, producing one of the earliest hat-tricks in World Cup history and reinforcing France’s credentials as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute after being played through by captain Kylian Mbappe, who earned his 101st international appearance for France. Cutting in from the right, the 29-year-old calmly slotted the ball beyond Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik.

The French star doubled his tally in the 20th minute with another composed finish after drifting inside from the right flank before curling a low shot into the far corner.

Norway briefly threatened a comeback when Thelo Aasgaard fired past Mike Maignan to reduce the deficit, but Dembele quickly restored France’s two-goal advantage by completing his hat-trick in the 32nd minute with another clinical left-footed finish.

His remarkable treble came within 25 minutes of his opening goal, making it one of the fastest hat-tricks in FIFA World Cup history. Only Austria’s Erich Probst, who scored three goals within the opening 24 minutes against Czechoslovakia in 1954, reached the milestone earlier from kick-off. Hungary’s Laszlo Kiss still holds the record for the fastest World Cup hat-trick overall after scoring three goals in less than eight minutes as a substitute in 1982.

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The victory also saw Dembele join an exclusive list of French players to score a World Cup hat-trick, becoming only the third after legendary striker Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappe, who netted three goals in the dramatic 2022 World Cup final.

France continued to dominate after the break despite Norway creating several chances.

The Scandinavians were handed an opportunity to reduce the deficit after Oscar Bobb was brought down inside the penalty area by Theo Hernandez, but striker Jorgen Strand Larsen failed to convert from the spot as Maignan produced an excellent save.

Substitute Desire Doue completed the rout deep into stoppage time, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory for Les Bleus.

France’s impressive performance came despite the absence of head coach Didier Deschamps, who temporarily returned home to France following the death of his mother. Veteran assistant coach Guy Stephan took charge of the team, with Deschamps expected to rejoin the squad before the knockout stage.

The result ensured France completed the group stage with maximum nine points, scoring 10 goals and conceding only two in three matches to comfortably finish as Group I winners.

Dembele’s latest heroics also took his tally to four goals at the tournament after finding the net in France’s 3-0 victory over Iraq earlier in the week, strengthening his bid for the Golden Boot.

For Norway, qualification had already been secured following victories over Iraq and Senegal, prompting coach Stale Solbakken to make 10 changes to his starting line-up.

Key players including Erling Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard and striker Alexander Sorloth were all rested ahead of the knockout rounds, while Fredrik Aursnes was the only regular starter retained.

Despite the heavy defeat, Norway advanced as Group I runners-up with six points and will face Ivory Coast in the Round of 32.

France, meanwhile, will remain in the northeastern United States for a knockout clash against a third-placed team at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as they continue their quest for a third FIFA World Cup title.

Dembele scores stunning hat-trick as France thrash Norway 4-1

Plumptre Debunks Super Falcons Exit Claims, Warns Fans About Scammers

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has dismissed viral reports claiming that she plans to stop representing Nigeria, describing the allegations as false and the work of online fraudsters impersonating her on social media.

The Nigeria international, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, clarified that she never made any statement suggesting she would quit the national team over alleged disagreements with football officials or issues relating to her place in the squad.

The controversy began after a fake Facebook account bearing Plumptre’s name circulated claims that she had been excluded from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and was considering ending her international career.

The fraudulent account also alleged that certain football officials demanded favours and financial inducements from players seeking national team invitations, claims that quickly gained traction on social media.

Reacting to the reports, Plumptre categorically distanced herself from the account and warned fans against interacting with individuals posing as her online.

“Awful false accounts. I’ve posted on my Instagram and X for people to report. They are using my identity and scamming people. I am currently contacting someone in Saudi Arabia to help me take these accounts down because this has been happening for well over a year now,” Plumptre said.

The defender stressed that the statements circulating online did not originate from her and urged supporters to disregard messages, requests and fundraising appeals associated with the fake account.

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According to her, the impersonators have repeatedly used her identity to spread misinformation and solicit money from unsuspecting Nigerians.

Plumptre reiterated that she has never requested financial assistance, gifts, donations or monetary contributions through social media and advised fans to verify online accounts before engaging with anyone claiming to represent her.

She further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to have the fraudulent accounts removed while relevant authorities investigate those responsible for the impersonation.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also moved swiftly to debunk the reports, describing the claims as entirely fabricated.

The federation noted that Plumptre has repeatedly informed the public that she does not operate a Facebook account and warned journalists and football fans against relying on information published by unverified social media pages.

According to the NFF, reports suggesting that Plumptre had been omitted from Nigeria’s WAFCON squad were baseless because the coaching crew had not yet released an official list for the tournament.

The federation further revealed that similar fake accounts have previously targeted other Super Falcons players, including Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo, in attempts to spread false information and defraud supporters.

Plumptre’s clarification comes as preparations intensify for the upcoming WAFCON tournament, where the Super Falcons will be seeking to reclaim continental dominance and extend their record as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.

Since switching allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2021, the Leicester-born defender has become one of the most influential figures in the Super Falcons setup. Her performances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and subsequent international competitions earned widespread praise from fans and football stakeholders.

Beyond her contributions on the pitch, Plumptre has also gained admiration for embracing her Nigerian heritage and building a strong connection with supporters across the country.

The defender thanked Nigerian fans for their continued support and reaffirmed her commitment to representing the Super Falcons whenever called upon.

She also urged the public to remain vigilant against cybercriminals who increasingly exploit the identities of celebrities, athletes and public figures to spread misinformation and perpetrate online scams.

As concerns over digital fraud continue to grow, authorities have advised social media users to verify information through official and verified accounts before sharing content or responding to requests for financial assistance.

Plumptre Debunks Super Falcons Exit Claims, Warns Fans About Scammers

World Cup 2026: 20 Records Shattered – Full List of Record Breakers

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup has completely rewritten football history. Combining an expanded format as the first with 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament has turned into a record-shattering spectacle. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo headline the historic feats, alongside tournament-wide milestones driven by the expanded format.

20 RECORDS BROKEN AT WORLD CUP 2026

1. Lionel Messi – All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

The Argentine captain surpassed Miroslav Klose’s long-standing men’s record of 16 World Cup goals, reaching 18 with a brilliant brace in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria. Entering the match level with Klose, Messi scored his 17th in the 38th minute with a left-footed shot, officially breaking the record. In the waning seconds of injury time, he extended his record to 18 goals after his initial shot was saved. This also moved him ahead of Brazilian women’s football legend Marta, who holds the record for scoring 17 goals in Women’s World Cups.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – First Player to Score at Six Different World Cups

Ronaldo struck twice against Uzbekistan, becoming the first and only player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026). He opened the scoring in the 6th minute, immediately etching his name in the record books. This feat spans an incredible 20 years, surpassing Lionel Messi who has scored in five different editions.

3. Lionel Messi – Most World Cup Match Wins by a Player

Following Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria, Messi earned his 18th World Cup match win, surpassing Miroslav Klose (17 wins) for the most individual victories ever recorded in World Cup history.

4. Lionel Messi – Six-Match Consecutive Goal-Scoring Streak

Finding the net in his opening games means Messi has scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, equaling the tournament record held by Just Fontaine (France) and Jairzinho (Brazil). This streak began in the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup, when he scored against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France on Argentina’s way to winning the championship.

5. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – Joint Record for Career Tournament Appearances

Both Messi and Ronaldo officially stepped onto the pitch for their sixth World Cup tournament during their respective opening games, passing the previous record of five appearances held by German icon Lothar Matthäus.

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6. Cristiano Ronaldo – Oldest Player to Score Multiple Goals in a Match

At 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo became the oldest player to net multiple goals in a single World Cup match, breaking the record set by Lionel Messi just a day earlier. Messi was 38 years and 363 days old when he scored twice for Argentina against Austria on June 22, 2026.

7. Lionel Messi – Oldest Player to Score a World Cup Hat-Trick

Messi dismantled Algeria with a spectacular hat-trick, establishing a new record as the oldest male player to net three goals in a single World Cup match, at 38 years and 357 days old.

8. Lionel Messi – Most Tournament Minutes Played

During his masterclass against Austria, Messi extended his time on the pitch to an unparalleled 2,489 total minutes played across his World Cup career, setting an absolute longevity milestone.

9. Lionel Messi – Most World Cup Matches Played

Messi extended his own mark for most World Cup matches played, now at 28, passing Lothar Matthäus.

10. Lionel Messi – Most Penalties Taken and Missed

After missing a spot-kick against Austria, Messi became the player with both the most penalties taken (7) and the most penalties missed (3) in normal World Cup play history (excluding shootouts), moving past Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan. He also became the first player to miss a penalty at the 2026 World Cup.

11. Lionel Messi – Most Man of the Match Awards

The Argentina captain has won the Man of the Match award for the 13th time in his World Cup career, further extending his record. Second place goes to Cristiano Ronaldo with 7 wins.

12. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal’s All-Time Top World Cup Goalscorer

Ronaldo’s double against Uzbekistan raised his personal World Cup tally to 10 goals, officially eclipsing the legendary Eusébio (9 goals) as Portugal’s all-time top World Cup scorer.

13. Cristiano Ronaldo – Biggest Age Gap Between Two Starting Players

The age gap of 22 years and 183 days between Uzbekistan’s Bekhruz Karimov (18 years, 320 days) and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years, 138 days) became the biggest gap between two starting players in a match in FIFA World Cup history.

14. Kylian Mbappé – France’s All-Time Top Scorer

France captain Kylian Mbappé registered a clinical brace during a 3-1 win over Senegal, officially becoming France’s outright all-time leading international goalscorer, while raising his personal World Cup total to 14. He now sits just four goals behind Messi’s all-time record of 18 and is the most likely candidate to surpass it in the future, as he is only 27 years old.

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15. Eloy Room (Curaçao) – Most Saves in a 90-Minute World Cup Match

During debutant Curaçao’s historic Group E fixture against Ecuador, goalkeeper Eloy Room pulled off an astonishing 15 saves to secure a 0-0 draw. This is the highest number of saves ever officially recorded in a standard, non-extra-time World Cup match since Opta began tracking the statistic in 1966 (falling just short of Tim Howard’s 16 saves, which required 120 minutes of extra time).

16. Canada – First Nation Outside Europe and South America to Score 5+ Goals

In Canada’s dominant 6-0 victory over Qatar, Jonathan David netted a brilliant hat-trick. This performance spearheaded Canada into becoming the first-ever nation from outside of Europe or South America to score 5 or more goals in a single World Cup match. Canada also recorded an astonishing 97 touches in the opposition’s box, shattering Germany’s previous record of 71 vs. Costa Rica in 2022.

17. Vozinha (Cape Verde) – Oldest Debut Clean Sheet

40-year-old Cape Verde veteran goalkeeper Vozinha achieved a beautiful milestone for the African debutants. At 40 years and 12 days old, he became the oldest goalkeeper in football history to record a clean sheet during a nation’s debut appearance at a World Cup, keeping the powerful Spanish attack at bay. He also became the oldest player to appear in a nation’s debut World Cup match, surpassing the record set by Curaçao’s Eloy Room.

18. Cape Verde – Fewest Fouls in a World Cup Match

Despite Spain holding a suffocating 74% possession and dominating the ball, Cape Verde maintained their shape so perfectly that they committed just one single foul over the entire match. According to data, it is the cleanest, lowest-foul performance by any team in a World Cup game in the last six decades.

19. Netherlands – Longest Unbeaten Run in Regulation Time

The Netherlands broke a world record previously held by Pele’s Brazil during their 5-1 victory against Sweden. The Dutchmen have now gone 14 matches without defeat in regulation time at the World Cup, surpassing Brazil’s record of 13 set between 1958 and 1966. The Netherlands last lost a match in regulation time during the 2006 edition against Portugal in the Round of 16.

20. Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi – Youngest Substitute to Score a Brace

Swiss footballer Johan Manzambi created history as he scored a brace coming on from the bench in Switzerland’s 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. At 20 years and 247 days old, he became the youngest player in World Cup history to score a brace as a substitute, breaking a record that stood for 24 years.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

Harry Kane – England’s Joint All-Time Top World Cup Scorer

England captain Harry Kane scored twice in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, drawing level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals on 10 goals. The match also marked Kane’s 115th England appearance, moving him level with David Beckham among the country’s most-capped players.

Most Red Cards at the World Cup

Six red cards have been brandished already in the 2026 competition, which is more than the past two World Cups combined (four red cards were shown in Qatar and Russia). Three red cards were shown in Mexico’s opening-game win over South Africa, setting a record for a tournament-opening match.

Highest Single-Day Attendance

A single day (June 16) drew a record 281,223 fans topping the previous high from 1994. This record was achieved across four group-stage matches played on the same day, surpassing the previous single-day record of 277,070 spectators, which was set during the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Fastest Tournament to 100 Goals

The tournament hit the 100-goal milestone in just 33 matches after Cody Gakpo’s strike for the Netherlands against Sweden. This marks the fastest century of goals since the 1958 tournament.

Oldest Manager to Win a Match

Legendary manager Carlos Queiroz set a record as the oldest manager to win a FIFA World Cup match when he led Ghana to victory over Panama at 73 years and 109 days old.

Argentina’s Clean Sheet Streak

Since their shocking 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup group stage, Argentina has not conceded another goal in their World Cup group stage matches. Their 2-0 victory against Austria extended their clean sheet streak to four consecutive group stage games.

What Happens Next

The expanded format ensures the total goals record (172 from 2022) will almost certainly fall, and managerial win records are under threat. The 2026 World Cup is living up to its billing as the biggest ever, with icons like Messi (still dominating at 38) and Ronaldo (41) rewriting history books. Many more records are expected in the knockout stages.

France boss Didier Deschamps is one win away from equalling the record for most wins as a manager at the World Cup. Former West Germany manager Helmut Schon is at the top of the all-time list with 16 victories.

World Cup 2026: 20 Records Shattered – Full List of Record Breakers