France Secures Victory Against Ukraine in World Cup Qualifier
On Friday night, the French national team began its qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Grouped with Iceland and Azerbaijan in Group D, Les Bleus kicked off their journey at the Tarczynski Arena against Ukraine, led by Serhiy Rebrov. Coach Didier Deschamps opted for a solid 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Maignan as the goalkeeper, Koundé and Digne on the flanks, and Konaté and Upamecano in central defense. The midfield comprised Koné and Tchouaméni, while Olise, Barcola, Doué, and Mbappé formed the attacking front.
Conversely, Ukraine lined up in a 4-5-1 format, with goalkeeper Trubin at the back and Ilya Zabarnyi, a player from PSG, in defense. The attacking front saw Dovbyk flanked by Sudakov, Yarmolyuk, and Kaliuzhnyi. The first minutes of the match were evenly matched, but France gradually took control and was rewarded early on. After an impressive build-up, Barcola found space on the left, delivering a pinpoint cross to Olise, who netted with a precise left-footed shot (0-1, 10th minute).
With the pressure off, France continued to dominate, missing several chances to double their lead.
France’s Resilient Performance
After a brief scare when Olise had another effort saved by Trubin (18th minute), Doué saw his own shot thwarted by the Ukrainian goalkeeper (19th minute), while Mbappé‘s attempt went wide (23rd minute). France maintained control and was close to scoring again when Tchouaméni’s powerful strike from the edge of the box narrowly missed the target (36th minute). After halftime, Dembélé replaced Doué, who had been injured, yet the match flow remained unchanged. France confidently managed their lead against a spirited but ultimately limited Ukrainian side.
In the last 30 minutes, France came close to extending their advantage again. A spectacular aerial pass from Tchouaméni found Dembélé, whose volley was parried away by Trubin (58th minute). As France remained largely untroubled, they faced a brief moment of peril when Konaté made a miraculous clearance off the line (65th minute), just before Maignan was forced to save a header from Zabarnyi, hitting the post (66th minute). Regaining confidence, France pushed forward again, but Olise’s curled shot went wide of the target (68th minute).
As the match drew to a close, Rabiot came on for Dembélé, who had aggravated his earlier injury. Tchouaméni continued to shine, sending Mbappé through one-on-one with Trubin. The Real Madrid star slotted the ball home accurately with his right foot (0-2, 82nd minute), securing France’s first victory in this qualification round and placing them at the top of Group D alongside Iceland.
Man of the Match: Tchouaméni
Tchouaméni was exceptional, earning a rating of 8.5. His commanding presence in midfield overshadowed the Ukrainian players, showcasing his ability to recover the ball and make decisive plays. He not only delivered a stunning assist to Mbappé but also made crucial interventions, ensuring France’s defensive line remained intact.
Ukraine’s Struggles
Trubin had a challenging night, earning a rating of 4. Despite showing promise with several key saves, he could do little to prevent the breakthrough goal from Olise in the first half. His night was marked by a mix of brilliance and frustration, especially when faced with France’s potent attack.
Zinchenko, pivotal in defense and midfield, rated 4.5, struggled to assert himself against the relentless French pressure. His attempts to initiate attacks were frequently stifled, and he had little support when it mattered most. Matviyenko (rating 3.5) faced difficulties maintaining composure against the speed of France’s forwards, while Zabarnyi (4.5) and Yarmolyuk (4) both had limited impact during the match.
The night was also tough for Dovbyk, who despite showing effort, could not penetrate the French defense effectively, earning a rating of 5.
In conclusion, France’s comprehensive performance against Ukraine displayed their readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. With key players like Tchouaméni and Olise stepping up, the French squad looks to be in strong form as they aim for a successful campaign. The blend of solid defense and dynamic attacking play suggests that Didier Deschamps has a promising lineup heading into the next matches.