2026 World Cup Recap: France’s Dembele Hits Hat-Trick, Cape Verde Make History

France demolished Norway 4-1 to seal top spot in Group I, with Ousmane Dembele netting a stunning 32-minute hat-trick. Senegal thrashed 10-man Iraq 5-0 to keep their knockout hopes alive. Cape Verde held Saudi Arabia 0-0 to reach the last 32 as historic underdogs. Spain edged Uruguay 1-0, knocking the two-time winners out. Egypt and Iran drew 1-1, sending Egypt through as Group G runners-up. Belgium crushed New Zealand 5-1 to qualify from Group G.   Ousmane Dembele delivered the second-fastest hat-trick in World Cup history, scoring three times inside 32 minutes as France cruised past a rotated Norway side to finish top of Group I with a perfect nine points. Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute, curled in a second in the 20th, and completed his treble nine minutes before the break with a stunning team goal involving 17 passes. Thelo Aasgaard briefly pulled one back for Norway, but Desire Doue added a fourth in stoppage time. Norway, who rested Erling Haaland, finish second and advance to the knockout stage.   Senegal kept their knockout hopes flickering with a 5-0 demolition of 10-man Iraq in Toronto. Abdoulaye Seck's deflected header opened the scoring inside four minutes before defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off for denying Sadio Mane a goalscoring opportunity. Ismaila Sarr made it 2-0 after the break, and substitute Pape Gueye struck twice with thunderous efforts in the 59th and 71st minutes. Iliman Ndiaye sealed the rout late on. Senegal finish third in Group I and must wait on other results to see if they progress.   Cape Verde made history as the first African debutants since Ghana in 2006 to reach the World Cup knockout stage after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia. The Blue Sharks, ranked 67th in the world, had already drawn with Spain and Uruguay in a remarkable group campaign. They celebrated at full-time when news of Uruguay's defeat confirmed their passage. A nation of just 525,000 people, Cape Verde will face Argentina in the last 32. Saudi Arabia's tournament ends with a single point.   Uruguay crashed out of the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's third error-leading-to-goal of the tournament gifting Alex Baena the decisive strike on the cusp of halftime. The 40-year-old, making his 137th international appearance, let Baena's low shot slip through his hands and was substituted at the break by a ruthless Marcelo Bielsa. Spain topped Group H and progress, while Uruguay finish with two points from three games and exit at the group stage for the second straight tournament. Agustin Canobbio's stoppage-time red card for a high challenge compounded a miserable night.   Egypt reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. Mahmoud Saber gave Egypt a first-half lead before Milad Rezaeian levelled after the break. Iran thought they had won it in the dying seconds through Shoja Khalilzadeh, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Mohamed Salah was substituted in the second half with progression already likely secured. Egypt finish as Group G runners-up and will face Australia in the last 32. Iran finish third and face an anxious wait for other results.   Belgium surged into the knockout stages with a 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in Vancouver. Leandro Trossard struck twice in the first half, and Kevin De Bruyne added a third with a trademark low finish after the break. Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand, but Romelu Lukaku, on the pitch barely a minute, headed a fourth before Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth in stoppage time. Belgium finish level on points with Egypt at the top of Group G but must wait to confirm whether they finish first or second.   Upcoming Matches for June 27 (all times ET): 5PM Panama vs England (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey) 5PM Croatia vs Ghana (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia) 7:30PM Colombia vs Portugal (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami) 7:30PM DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta) 10PM Jordan vs Argentina (AT&T Stadium, Dallas) 10PM Algeria vs Austria (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)