Billed as a duel between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, that narrative was thrown out when it was revealed Norway manager Stale Solbakken had made 10 changes to his starting XI, with Haaland named – and then remaining –  among the substitutes.

Mbappe, meanwhile, is played second fiddle on the night to Ousmane Dembele. The Paris Saint-Germain forward struck excellent goals in the seventh and 20th minutes, both following passes from Mbappe, to put France in control.

Norway temporarily reduced the deficit via Thelo Aasgaard's low drive, but Dembele completed his hat-trick before the interval, becoming the first player to score a treble in the opening 45 minutes of a World Cup game since Erich Probst for Austria in 1994.

France were not put under significant threat in the second period, and Gusto was introduced for Jules Kounde with three minutes remaining to help Les Bleus over the line.

There was time following the introduction of the Chelsea defender for another goal, though, as Desire Doue headed home in stoppage time to ensure France advanced to the knockout stage as group winners.