France booked their place at next summer’s FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4–0 win over Ukraine in qualifying, securing an eighth consecutive appearance at the global finals.
After a tense first half in which France dominated but failed to score, Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock early in the second period with a calm Panenka penalty won by Michael Olise.
Ukraine had earlier seen their own shout for a spot-kick waved away after Dayot Upamecano’s challenge on Yehor Nazaryna.
France pushed on after the opener, with Mbappé denied several times by Anatoliy Trubin before Olise doubled the lead, punishing Ukraine’s tired defending.
Late substitutes Maghnes Akliouche and Hugo Ekitike added further energy, and both were involved as France closed out the match in style.
Mbappé tapped in a third before combining with Ekitike, who scored his first international goal to complete the 4–0 win.
The defeat ends Ukraine’s three-game unbeaten run and leaves them behind Iceland on goal difference heading into a decisive final group match for a playoff spot.
