Kylian Mbappé led France national football team to a powerful 4-0 victory over Ukraine national football team on Thursday at the Parc des Princes in Paris, securing an automatic berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The triumph was poignant: the match took place exactly ten years to the day after the November 13 2015 terror attacks in Paris.
France, who topped Group D with 13 points from five games, ensured their place in next summer’s tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico without needing to play their final qualifier.
Mbappé opened the scoring early in the second half by converting a chipped penalty after Michael Olise had been brought down in the box. He struck again later to make it 3-0, capping a dominant outing. The other goals came from Olise and Hugo Ekitiké.
On the emotional weight of the occasion, Mbappé emphasised that the remembrance of the 130 lives lost was more important than sporting success. “Very proud to be here, even if it wasn’t the most important thing of the evening — the most important part was the commemoration,” he said.
Coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the context and kept celebrations subdued. “Given the context, there was no place for wild celebrations,” he said.
The match also featured a minute of silence and symbolic tributes to the victims of the 2015 attacks, including the wearing of the “Bleuet de France” remembrance cornflower, underlining the gravity of the day.
With qualification secured, France now focus on the broader preparation for the 2026 tournament — and a final major campaign for Deschamps at the helm. Mbappé’s performance under pressure suggests he remains the driving force of the national side both on and off the field.
