On Thursday, November 13, the Ukrainian national team played another match as part of the World Cup 2026 qualifying tournament — in Paris, against the French national team.
World Cup 2026. Qualifiers, Europe. Group D. 5th round.
FRANCE — UKRAINE — 4:0 (0:0)
Goals: Mbappe (55 pen., 83), Olise (76), Ekitike (88)
Warnings: Kane (31) — Mykhavko (54), Yarmolyuk (74)
Ukraine: 12. Trubin — 21. Karavaev, 4. Svatok, 13. Zabarnyi (C), 22. Mykhavko (20. Zubkov, 75), 3. Mykhailychenko — 8. Nazaryna, 14. Ocheretko (10. Shaparenko, 64), 18. Yarmolyuk (19. Voloshyn, 85), 11. Hutsulyak (7. Vanat, 64) — 9. Yaremchuk (15. Tsygankov, 75).
Substitutes: 1. Vovynets, 23. Riznyk, 2. Konoplia, 5. Bondar, 6. Kalyuzhny, 16. Mykolenko, 17. Sudakov.
France: 16. Maignan, 5. Kounde (2. Gusto, 89), 17. Saliba, 4. Upamecano, 3. Digne, 13. Kante, 8. Kone (18. Zaire-Emery, 80), 11. Olise (7. Nkunku, 89), 14. Cherki (12. Akliouche, 67), 20. Barcola (9. Ekitike, 67), 10. Mbappe (C).
Substitutes: 1. Samba, 23. Chevalier, 6. K. Thuram, 15. Konate, 19. Mateta, 21. L. Hernandez, 22. T. Hernandez.
Match transcript and statistics >>>
Post-match press conference >>>
Standings and schedule of group D >>>
As expected, from the start whistle, the French national team moved the game to the Ukrainian half and completely deprived them of possession. Already in the 17th minute, the French created the first scoring chance — Mbappe struck strongly and accurately from 23 meters, and Trubin, diving, managed to deflect the ball for a corner.
Midway through the half, the Ukrainian team began to finally hold onto the ball, but the hosts still fully controlled the game. As time passed, there was no real threat to the Ukrainian goal. Only in the 41st minute were the French close to success again — Barcola from the left corner of the Ukrainian penalty area curved his shot towards the far corner, and Trubin, diving, tipped the ball onto the post. The first half ended goalless.
Early in the second half, the score was opened. During another French attack, in the Ukrainian penalty area, Mykhavko fouled Olise, stepping on his foot, albeit unintentionally. The referee without hesitation awarded a penalty, which Mbappe converted — 1:0.
After gaining the lead, France did not slow down, and soon Trubin had to save his team after a dangerous shot by Mbappe from about 10 meters. Then from nearly the same spot, Akliouche tried his luck — again the Ukrainian goalkeeper excelled, this time deflecting the ball with his foot. Finally, in the 72nd minute, a shot by Ekitike hit the post. But four minutes later, the French succeeded — Olise from around the 11-meter mark sent the ball into the net — 2:0.
The score increased to 3:0 in the 83rd minute when Mbappe scored: he hit the empty Ukrainian net after the ball rebounded to him following a clash between Ekitike and Trubin. Ekitike put the finishing touch on the scoreline, having pushed forward the French attack in the penalty area, played with Mbappe, and shot into the Ukrainian goal — 4:0.
In another match from group D, Iceland won away against Azerbaijan — 2:0. The current standings in the group are now:
1. France — 13 points
2. Iceland — 7
3. Ukraine — 7
4. Azerbaijan — 1.
In the next and final round of group D, the matches will be: Ukraine — Iceland, Azerbaijan — France. Both matches will be held next Sunday, October 13.
Oleksandr POPOV
