Olise Scores Brilliant Hat-Trick as France Beat Northern Ireland Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Michael Olise scored his first senior international hat-trick as France beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in Didier Deschamps’ last home match as manager.

A festive mood filled Lille as fans honoured Deschamps, who led France to the 2018 World Cup title, before his expected exit after this summer’s tournament. The coach fielded a strong side for their final game before heading to North America.

As expected, France controlled most of the ball, and Kylian Mbappé was denied in a one-on-one chance by Pierce Charles after 15 minutes. Northern Ireland nearly struck on the counter soon after, but Patrick Kelly’s shot went just wide after being set up by Isaac Price.

Deschamps looked more involved and vocal during the first-half drinks break than usual, possibly still thinking about France’s surprise 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast on Thursday.

Things got better for him just before half-time when France finally found a way through. Ousmane Dembélé’s shot took a deflection and fell kindly to Olise, who finished from close range.

In stoppage time of the first half, Jamie Donley briefly believed he had levelled the score, but the goal was ruled out because Ruairi McConville had pushed Theo Hernández earlier in the move.

Northern Ireland had mostly held France off before half-time, but things changed quickly after the restart. Just four minutes into the second half, Olise scored again, smashing in a loose ball inside the box.

France then started to step up their game, with Mbappé and Maxence Lacroix both shooting over the bar in quick succession. However, Northern Ireland pulled one back when Shea Charles overpowered Dayot Upamecano and set up Patrick Kelly to score his first senior international goal, only the second ever goal Northern Ireland have scored against France.

Mbappé missed another chance as France started to look a bit unsettled again. But Olise soon settled things with a brilliant curling shot from outside the box that went into the far corner, completing his hat-trick and taking his international tally to seven goals.

The win keeps France unbeaten against Northern Ireland in their last seven meetings. France will now focus on their aim of winning a third FIFA World Cup title, as they are considered favorites to lift the trophy this year.