LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as France powered past Norway 4-1 to clinch top spot in World Cup Group I on Friday, as Senegal kept their hopes of a last-32 spot alive with a thumping victory over Iraq.

Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) reigning Ballon d’Or winner Dembele scored in the 7th, 20th and 32nd minutes as France maintained their 100 per cent start to the tournament with another dazzling attacking display.

The pre-match hype around Friday’s game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston, had focused on a duel between France striker Kylian Mbappe and Norwegian counterpart Erling Haaland.