The Real Madrid star was on the scoresheet for his country once again…
France secured their place at next summer’s World Cup with an easy 4-0 win over Ukraine in Paris.
Les Bleus dominated possession from the outset but struggled to turn territory into clear chances before the break.
Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki provided early spark on the flanks, while Kylian Mbappe twice tested Anatoliy Trubin, who produced strong saves from a low drive in the 17th minute and a bending Barcola effort just before half-time.
Ukraine, meanwhile, sat deep and compact, offering little going forward and failing to register a single attempt in the opening 45 minutes.
The turning point arrived shortly after the restart. Ukraine briefly thought they had a penalty when Heorhiy Nazaryna went down under a challenge from Dayot Upamecano, but after a long VAR review the referee ruled no foul had been committed.
Within two minutes, France had their own opportunity from the spot when debutant Taras Mykhavko stood on Olise’s foot inside the area. Mbappe stepped up and coolly lifted a Panenka past Trubin to give the hosts a 55th-minute lead and move to within touching distance of Olivier Giroud’s national scoring record.
The goal opened the contest up and Ukraine, who had defended resolutely for much of the evening, began to unravel.
France’s pressure grew and substitute Hugo Ekitike twice went close, striking the post before forcing a strong save from Trubin on the break.
Deschamps introduced further attacking options as the visitors tired, and the second goal eventually arrived in the 76th minute. A sharp passing move released N’Golo Kante on the edge of the area and his quick ball found Olise, who swivelled and guided a precise finish into the bottom-left corner.
With Ukraine’s resistance broken, France pushed for more and Mbappe soon claimed his landmark 400th career goal.
Ekitike battled through a crowded box and nudged the ball forward, allowing the captain to crash in from close range with seven minutes remaining. The strike moved him to within two goals of France’s all-time top scorer and ended any slim hopes of a Ukrainian revival.
Ekitike then capped an impressive cameo with his first international goal two minutes from time. Bursting through midfield, he combined neatly with Mbappe before receiving the return pass and sliding a composed finish through Trubin’s legs to round off the scoring.
It was a fitting end to a dominant half in which France outshot Ukraine 17-0 and recorded an expected goals total of 3.5.
France starting lineup vs Ukraine
Paris Saint-Germain forwards Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani, Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Real Madrid counterpart Aurelien Tchouameni were sidelined for France.
Al-Ittihad midfielder N’Golo Kante made his first international appearance since November 2024 and Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki started.
France starting XI: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Digne, Michael Olise, N’Golo Kante, Rayan Cherki, Manu Kone, Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappe
France substitutes: Brice Samba, Malo Gusto, Khephren Thuram, Christopher Nkunku, Hugo Ekitike, Maghnes Akliouche, Ibrahima Konate, Warren Zaire-Emery, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Chevalier
Ukraine starting lineup vs France
Roma forward Artem Dovbyk was out for Ukraine with a hip injury, while Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko missed out because of muscle discomfort.
Ukraine starting XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Oleksandr Karavaiev, Illia Zabarnyi, Oleksandr Svatok, Taras Mykhavko, Bohdan Mykhailichenko, Oleh Ocheretko, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Yehor Nazaryna, Oleksii Hutsuliak, Roman Yaremchuk
Ukraine substitutes: Yevhenii Volynets, Yukhym Konoplia, Valerii Bondar, Ivan Kaliuzhnyi, Vladyslav Vanat, Mykola Shaparenko, Viktor Tsygankov, Vitalii Mykolenko, Heorhii Sudakov, Nazar Voloshyn, Oleksandr Zubkov, Dmytro Riznyk
September 5: Ukraine 0-2 France
September 9: France 2-1 Iceland
October 10: France 3-0 Azerbaijan
October 13: Iceland 2-2 France
November 13: France vs Ukraine
November 16: Azerbaijan vs France
France World Cup 2026 qualifying path
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign. The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals.
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
