France defeated Ukraine 4-0 at the Parc des Princes on Thursday and secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice, Michael Olise added one, and Hugo Ekitike netted his first international goal to complete the victory.
The result gave France an unassailable six-point lead over Iceland and Ukraine in Group D with one match remaining. Didier Deschamps guided his team to another finals appearance, his last tournament before stepping down as coach. France, winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, extended its record of qualifying for every edition since missing out in 1994.
The evening carried emotional weight as 41,000 spectators observed a minute’s silence to mark the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks. The tribute honoured the 130 victims, including those at the Bataclan concert hall and near the Stade de France.
On the pitch, France controlled the game. Bradley Barcola struck the woodwork in the first half. Mbappe opened the scoring early in the second half with a penalty after Olise was fouled. Olise then shifted centrally and fired home the second goal in the 76th minute. Mbappe struck again in the 83rd minute, reaching 55 international goals, just two behind Olivier Giroud’s record tally of 57. Ekitike sealed the win in stoppage time with his first goal for France.
France’s only slip in qualifying came in a draw against Iceland. Ukraine and Iceland now face each other to decide who advances to the play-offs. France awaits the finals draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, DC.
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