Kylian Mbappé once again proved why he is one of world football’s most electrifying talents, scoring twice—including a stylish Panenka penalty—as France sealed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a commanding win over Ukraine. The night also marked a special moment for Hugo Ekitike, with the Liverpool forward netting his first-ever goal for the French national team in a convincing display in Paris.
The first half, despite France’s dominance in possession, ended goalless. Ukraine stayed compact, defended bravely, and frustrated the hosts by closing down passing lanes and denying space for Mbappé and company. But once the second half began, the game shifted dramatically.
The breakthrough came when Michael Olise was brought down inside the box, leaving the referee with little hesitation as he pointed to the spot. The Ukrainian defence protested, but replays showed Olise reaching the ball first before the contact arrived. With the pressure moment set, Mbappé walked up with ice-cold composure and executed a perfectly weighted Panenka, gently chipping the ball down the middle as goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin dived to his right. The stadium erupted as France finally took the lead, and Mbappé added another flash of brilliance to his long list of memorable goals.
However, Ukraine had reasons to feel frustrated. Only moments earlier, they believed they should have had a penalty of their own. Dayot Upamecano appeared to make questionable contact inside the area, and although the referee initially waved play on, VAR intervened and advised him to review the monitor. After a brief look, referee Slavko Vinčić stuck with his initial decision, leaving Ukraine players visibly disappointed.
With the first goal finally scored, France began playing with greater fluidity and aggression. Mbappé twice came close to doubling his tally—one shot curling narrowly wide and another saved sharply by Trubin. But Ukraine’s resistance eventually broke again.
This time, it was Michael Olise who got on the scoresheet. After a swift attacking move, the winger timed his run perfectly and fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner, giving France the breathing room they had been searching for. It was a deserved reward for his high-energy performance on the flank.
France, now brimming with confidence, pushed for more, and Mbappé delivered again. A low cross into the box caused chaos in the Ukraine defence, and the French captain reacted quickest, slotting home from close range. That strike was the 400th goal of Mbappé’s professional career—an extraordinary milestone at his age. It also put him at 55 international goals, placing him just two behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time France scoring record of 57.
As the game entered its closing stages, France showed no intention of slowing down. With two minutes left on the clock, Mbappé turned provider. Spotting Hugo Ekitike making a sharp diagonal run into the box, he slipped a perfectly weighted pass between defenders. Ekitike showed strength and composure before firing the ball through Trubin’s legs—a cool, clinical finish that marked his first goal for France. His teammates swarmed him in celebration, a moment that capped off an unforgettable night for the rising star.
France’s second-half explosion ensured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup was punched in style. A blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent continues to define this French squad, and performances like this highlight why they remain one of the favorites heading into the global tournament.
