Sports France thrashes Ukraine 4-0 to secure 2026 World Cup qualification

Captain Kylian Mbappé hit a brace, while Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike were also on target, securing the win required to top European qualifying Group D.

Match Summary and Tributes

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed by the 41,000 spectators to mark the 10th anniversary of the November 13, 2015, attacks, which included the Bataclan concert hall and the area near the Stade de France during a friendly match.

Coach Didier Deschamps, who was in charge in 2015 and remains at the helm for what will be his final tournament, saw his team overcome a "difficult first half" against a low block defense.

The breakthrough came early in the second half when Mbappé coolly chipped in a penalty after Olise was fouled. Olise (Bayern Munich) doubled the lead in the 76th minute after shifting to a more central role. Mbappé scored again from close range in the 83rd minute, taking his tally to 55 goals for his country, two shy of Olivier Giroud’s all-time record of 57. Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) rounded off the victory with his first senior international goal.

France, winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, maintain their record of making every edition of the tournament since 1994. Ukraine and Iceland will now face each other to decide who advances to the playoffs next March.

Qualification News Elsewhere

• Portugal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at Ireland, with star Cristiano Ronaldo being sent off for elbowing an opponent. Ronaldo risks a two-game ban, potentially missing the first match of the World Cup finals should Portugal qualify.

• Norway moved closer to qualifying for the first time since 1998, beating Estonia 4-1, thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland.

• Already-qualified England beat Serbia 2-0 to maintain a perfect record in Group K and remain yet to concede a goal.