Mbappé and Olise Excel as France Clinch 2026 World Cup Place

Kylian Mbappé netted a pair of goals, with Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike also finding the target, as France triumphed 4-0 over Ukraine on Thursday to lock in their qualification for the World Cup, an occasion shadowed by remembrances for those lost in the 2015 Paris assaults.

Skipper Mbappé slotted home a composed penalty ten minutes after the interval at the Parc des Princes, and the standout Olise made it two on 76 minutes.

Mbappé added another soon after, while Ekitike converted for his debut international strike, giving France the result needed to confirm their berth at the 2026 tournament in North America.

The 41,000 fans at the stadium held a flawless minute of silence before the match started, honouring the tenth anniversary of the assaults across Paris on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Of the 130 fatalities from the assaults, most perished at the Bataclan concert venue in the city centre during a performance.

However, one victim was killed close to the Stade de France in the Saint-Denis area north of Paris, where blasts occurred as suicide attackers tried to breach the stadium amid a friendly match between France and Germany.

Didier Deschamps led the team back then and continues to do so, with the nearing World Cup set as his parting competition before he departs.

With a final fixture against Azerbaijan on Sunday, France hold an unbeatable six-point advantage over Iceland and Ukraine in European qualifying Group D.

As 2018 champions and 2022 finalists, France uphold their streak of appearing in every World Cup since their absence from the 1994 event in the United States.

As they anticipate the finals draw in Washington, DC, on December 5, Ukraine and Iceland will clash on Sunday to determine which side advances to the March play-offs.

Ekitike Scores First

France's sole stumble in qualifying was a draw away to Iceland last month, though they have seldom hit peak rhythm in this subdued effort.

Mbappé and Olise shone brightly at Paris Saint-Germain's stadium, whereas Bradley Barcola nearly opened the scoring in the opening period with a bending shot from distance that the keeper diverted onto the frame and out for a corner.

Real Madrid's star forward and France leader Mbappé then converted the penalty to break the deadlock shortly into the second half, following a foul on Olise within the box.

Olise, playing for Bayern Munich, truly flourished after moving from the wing to a central position.

Soon after assisting Ekitike in striking the upright, Olise spun and unleashed France's second, and Ukraine faltered late on.

Mbappé tapped in from near the goal in the 83rd minute following a save on Ekitike, raising his national tally to 55 and leaving him two shy of record holder Olivier Giroud's 57.

Liverpool's Ekitike then finished a smooth team play to seal the win with his initial senior cap goal.