Mbappé Brace Sends France to 2026 World Cup After Dominant 4–0 Win Over Ukraine

France wanted a clean night, and they got it. Ukraine arrived in Paris with hope, but Kylian Mbappé set the tone, Michael Olise ran the game, and Hugo Ekitike added the finishing touch as France cruised to a 4–0 win at Parc des Princes in the European Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026, confirming their place in the tournament.

Before kick-off, the stadium paused for a minute of silence to mark ten years since the 2015 Paris attacks. The tribute hit hard, the crowd settled, and France slipped into a steady rhythm that never really broke.

Didier Deschamps knows this will be his last World Cup cycle, and he has managed this campaign without drama. France rarely dazzled during qualifying, but they stayed organised, stayed calm, and now sit six points clear with a game to spare. This win locks their spot in North America.

France turned up the heat after the break. France pushed early, and Bradley Barcola came closest in the first half with a curling strike that shaved the post. Ukraine held shape for a while, but once France opened the scoring, the match broke open fast.

Ten minutes into the second half, Olise drove into the box and drew a foul. Mbappé stepped up, waited out the keeper, and chipped in the opener with the sort of ease only he can sell. The atmosphere shifted instantly, and France began to play with freedom.

Olise, outstanding all night, moved centrally and started pulling the strings. He slipped Ekitike through for a chance off the post and then took control himself. A quick turn, a clean strike, and France were two up with twenty minutes left.

Mbappé Nears All-Time Scoring Record

Ukraine unraveled under the pressure. Ekitike forced a save, and Mbappé stabbed in the rebound for his second of the night, his 55th for France, moving him just two behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time record.

The fourth came late but felt inevitable. A sharp passing move freed Ekitike once more, and the young forward steered in his first senior international goal to finish a night that never drifted out of France’s hands.

France now heads to Azerbaijan with qualification secured and momentum intact. Ukraine and Iceland will fight for the playoff spot, but France can shift their attention to the December 5 draw in Washington, where the real journey begins.