Kylian Mbappé scored twice, while Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike added one each, as France cruised to a 4–0 victory over Ukraine on Thursday to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The match at the Parc des Princes was played under the shadow of solemn tributes marking the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks.
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Mbappé opened the scoring with a composed chipped penalty 10 minutes into the second half, before Olise doubled the advantage in the 76th minute. The French captain then struck again, and Ekitike netted his first international goal to seal a dominant win.
A minute’s silence was observed by more than 41,000 spectators in remembrance of the 130 victims of the coordinated attacks across Paris on November 13, 2015, including one person killed near the Stade de France during a France–Germany friendly.
Didier Deschamps, who was in charge of the national team during the 2015 attacks, remains at the helm and confirmed this will be his final campaign before stepping down. With one match left against Azerbaijan on Sunday, Les Bleus hold an unassailable six-point lead over Iceland and Ukraine in Group D.
“Given the context tonight, we are pleased to have put some smiles on faces by securing qualification,” Deschamps said. “It’s expected of France, but we still had to do it. We’re proud.”
France, champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, have now qualified for every World Cup since missing out in 1994. Deschamps noted the challenge ahead at the expanded 48-team tournament but insisted France would aim to go “as far as possible.”
Ukraine and Iceland will meet on Sunday to determine who advances to the March play-offs.
France had struggled for rhythm throughout qualifying, but Mbappé and Olise shone in Paris. Bradley Barcola came close in the first half with a curling effort tipped onto the woodwork. Mbappé broke the deadlock from the spot after Olise was fouled, before the Bayern Munich midfielder added a superb second.
Ukraine faded in the closing stages, allowing Mbappé to score his 55th international goal — now just two behind Olivier Giroud’s French scoring record of 57. Ekitike then completed the win with a well-taken finish for his maiden France goal.
