France Leads Group D Over Iceland and Ukraine

Nov 14, 2025
Sports

Photo: Kylian Mbappe celebrating after France’s first goal (Collected. Al Jazeera. Stefan Mahe/Reuters)

Staff Reporter | PNN:

France striker Kylian Mbappe scored twice, with Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike adding one goal each, leading France to a 4–0 victory over Ukraine. This win secured France’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The match took place at Parc des Princes, with a moment of silence held in remembrance of the 2015 Paris attacks.

Mbappe scored his first goal from a penalty in the 10th minute of the second half. Olise scored France’s second goal in the 76th minute, and Mbappe scored again to cement the victory, while Ekitike scored his first international goal to complete the 4–0 result.

France coach Didier Deschamps described the match as “a professional performance, not spectacular, but the objective was achieved.” He added, “If France ever participates in an important tournament, attending is essential.”

France drew only once against Iceland in this qualifying round, but that did not prevent their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. France currently leads Group D by six points over Iceland and Ukraine.

In the group’s final match, France will face Azerbaijan. The World Cup finals will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The key highlights of the match were Mbappe and Olise’s excellent play, France’s strong victory, and Ukraine’s resistance being broken. Mbappe scored his 55th goal for France, just two shy of Olivier Giroud’s record.

France’s win maintains their consistent strong performance as the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runners-up.