It began with the goalkeeper and ended with Ousmane Dembele. Every single member of France's starting XI touched the ball, stringing together 17 passes before the ball nestled in the net – a goal that the BBC described as 'magic'. It was the crowning moment of a 4-1 victory over Norway in their final FIFA World Cup Group I match at Boston Stadium, and it sealed a hat-trick for Dembele.
The move was a collective masterpiece: from goalkeeper to forwards, every outfield player and the keeper himself were involved, a rarity at any level, let alone on the world stage. France had already secured the win, but this goal was a statement of intent as the tournament moves into the knockout stages.
“France's 17-pass move involving all 11 players ends with Dembele's hat-trick goal in 4-1 win over Norway.”
The Standard had billed the match as a 'mouth-watering showdown' with the winners set to top Group I. France lived up to that billing, dominating Norway to finish the group stage in style. Dembele's hat-trick, completed with the 17-pass goal, was the exclamation point on a performance that underlined their credentials as contenders.
For Norway, the defeat meant they finished second in the group, setting up a potentially tougher path in the round of 16. But the night belonged to France – and to a goal that will be replayed for years.