France secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup with an emphatic victory over Ukraine, thanks to a sensational performance from Kylian Mbappe and a memorable first international goal from Hugo Ekitike. Les Bleus may have struggled to break through in the first half, but an electrifying final 35 minutes left Ukraine scrambling and confirmed France’s dominance in the qualifying campaign.
First Half Frustrations
From the opening whistle, France controlled the match. The team dominated possession, kept Ukraine pinned in their own half, and registered 21 touches inside the box before halftime. Despite creating several chances, including a low shot from Mbappe and a long-range attempt by Cherki, France could not find the net. A mistimed challenge from Manu Kone resulted in a yellow card, ruling him out of the next qualifier in Azerbaijan. Barcola also came close with a curling shot, but Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin kept the scoreline at 0-0 as the teams headed into halftime.
Second Half Surge
The second half was a completely different story. Just minutes after VAR reviewed a potential penalty incident, France earned a spot-kick, and Mbappe stepped up, calmly converting with a cheeky Panenka. France continued to press, and Olise doubled the lead with a sharp finish set up by N’Golo Kante. Ukraine’s defense could not withstand the pressure, and Mbappe added his second goal from a rebound. Ekitike capped off the victory with his first international goal in the 88th minute, rounding off a dominant 4-0 win.
Mbappe’s performance solidified his status as the match’s standout star. His two strikes brought him to 55 international goals, closing in on Olivier Giroud’s all-time record for France, while also marking an impressive 400 career goals. His connection with Olise was particularly dangerous, slicing through Ukraine’s five-man defensive line with ease.
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Looking Ahead to 2026
With qualification secured, France can now focus on preparing for the World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Les Bleus will aim to carry their momentum into the tournament, relying on a mix of experience and youthful energy that promises thrilling performances.
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