Kylian Mbappé delivered a double — one arriving from a delicate chipped penalty — while Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike opened his scoring account for the national side as France clinched a 2026 World Cup berth with an emphatic performance against Ukraine.
Kylian Mbappé delivered a double — one arriving from a delicate chipped penalty — while Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike opened his scoring account for the national side as France clinched a 2026 World Cup berth with an emphatic performance against Ukraine.
The opening period produced no breakthrough, but the home team accelerated after the interval. Their scoring sequence began once Michael Olise won a penalty following contact inside the area.
The Real Madrid attacker calmly lifted his effort straight ahead as Anatoliy Trubin dived away, giving France the advantage they had sought.
Ukraine were left frustrated shortly beforehand, believing they might receive a penalty themselves. Dayot Upamecano’s challenge inside the box initially drew no whistle from referee Slavko Vincic. Though VAR invited him to review the incident, he upheld his on-field judgment.
Mbappé threatened twice more before Olise struck from open play, giving the hosts additional breathing space as the contest moved toward its conclusion.
Mbappé added another from close range late on, marking the 400th finish of his career and pushing his national tally to 55 — just behind Olivier Giroud’s benchmark of 57.
In the final minutes, Mbappé unselfishly squared the ball for Ekitike, who guided a low effort through Trubin’s legs to register his first senior goal for France and put the finishing touch on a commanding display.
