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France Rout Ukraine 4–0 to Seal 2026 World Cup Place

Mbappé hit his 55th for France plus career goal No. 400, with the team seeded for the Dec. 5 draw in Washington.

Overview

  • The night began with tributes marking the tenth anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks at the Parc des Princes.
  • A foul on Michael Olise led to a penalty that Mbappé converted with a panenka, breaking a tense stalemate before France pulled away.
  • Mbappé added a second as Olise and Hugo Ekitike also scored, with Ekitike registering his first international goal.
  • N’Golo Kanté returned to the starting lineup and impressed in midfield, reinforcing selection debates heading into 2026.
  • France face an inconsequential finale in Azerbaijan on Sunday before the Dec. 5 World Cup draw in Washington, with coverage suggesting 2026 may be Didier Deschamps’ last tournament in charge.