Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise both scored as France beat Ukraine 2-0 in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Softfootball reports.
The Group encounter which was played at the Tarczyński Arena in Poland had about 38,973 spectators enjoying the beautiful game as Mbappe led the French attack against the host.
Les Bleus took an early lead after Paris Saint-Germain winger Barcola played in Olise and he made no mistake with his finish. Ukraine struggled to get hold of the encounter as the away side controlled the tempo of the match and made the host chase the game.
There were no more goals until in the 82nd minute of the match as Mbappe received a pass from his Real Madrid teammate Tchouaméni and finished with aplomb for his 51st goal in France colours and the game ended 2-0.
After the match France announced on their official X handle.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐧! 🔥
Les Bleus kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in style 🙌
The game was particularly historic for Mbappe as he became the joint second top scorer in the history of French football alongside Arsenal legend Thierry Henry with 51 goals. Only behind Olivier Giroud with 57 goals for the national team
Mbappe has been in fine form this season and the goal was his fourth in four matches so far this season. Before the international break he has scored three goals for Real Madrid and led them to a perfect start this season under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Mbappe incredibly achieved his 51st for the national team at only 26 years old and he is tipped to shatter the record in a few years time as he is a super regular for the Les Bleus.
The evening wasn’t all sweet for France and especially PSG as Désiré Doué was forced off with a calf injury and his teammate at club level Ousmane Dembélé took his place but struggled to influence the game in the second half.
Ukraine were allowed into the game and had two clear chances to score. The first chance fell to Artem Dovbyk but his towering header was cleared off the line by Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konaté.
A minute later, France goalkeeper Mike Maignan was called into action as he palmed Georgiy Sudakov’s free-kick away, but the ball came straight back at the France goal, with PSG’s new signing Illia Zabarnyi heading a well-hit effort onto the post.
France survived that period and went on to kill the game through Mbappe’s 51st goal for the Les Bleus.
France will return to action on Tuesday against Iceland while Ukraine travels to face Azerbaijan who lost 5-0 to Iceland today.
