Kylian Mbappé scored the second goal and Michael Oliseh and Hugo Ekitike also scored as France defeated Ukraine 4-0 to qualify for the World Cup after a night of paying tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks.
On Thursday at the Parc des Princes, captain Mbappé coolly scored a spot-on goal 10 minutes into the second half, and the impressive Oliseh extended France’s lead to two points in the 76th minute.
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Mbappé then scored again and Ekitike put his country ahead, giving France the victory they needed to qualify for the 2026 final, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
France marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks in Paris and its suburbs on November 13, 2015, with a moment of silence observed by 41,000 spectators before kick-off.
Most of the 130 victims of the attack were killed at a concert hall in the capital, Bataclan, where they were attending a concert.
One person was also killed when a suicide bomber set off multiple explosions near the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris, during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany when a suicide bomber tried to enter the ground.
Didier Deschamps was the manager at the time and is still in charge, with the upcoming World Cup being his last tournament before stepping down.
With one game still to be played in Azerbaijan on Sunday, France are at the top of European qualifying Group D, six points behind Iceland and Ukraine.
France, who won the World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022, holds the record for having played in every tournament in the tournament since missing out on the U.S. tournament in 1994.
While everyone is looking forward to the draw for the final round on December 5th in Washington, D.C., Ukraine and Iceland will face off on Sunday in a decisive battle to decide who will advance to the playoffs next March.
France’s only failure in qualifying was a draw against Iceland last month, but they have rarely been at their best during a subdued season.
But while Mbappé and Oliseh were in good form here at Paris Saint-Germain’s home ground, Bradley Barcola came closest to scoring in the first half with a curling shot from outside the area that hit the frame and into the back corner.
Real Madrid superstar and France captain Mbappe took the lead early in the second half with a chip from the spot after Oliseh was fouled inside the area.
Bayern Munich’s Olise came into his own after moving from the right wing to a central role.
Ukraine held on in the closing stages as Olise turned and fired France’s second goal shortly after Ekitike’s shot hit the post.
Mbappe scored from close range in the 83rd minute after Ekitike had been disallowed, taking his country’s tally of goals to 55 and just two behind the all-time leading marksman, Olivier Giroud, who has 57 goals.
Liverpool’s Ekitike then rounded off a great move to seal the win with his first senior international goal.
Deschamps said the performance was more professional than spectacular, but sufficient to complete the mission.
“You always appreciate good moments, even if it seems logical and natural for the French team to qualify. To qualify here tonight was the goal in heavy and heavy conditions. It was difficult in the first half against a low block,” he said.
“I enjoy it, even if it’s not my first time. The French national team must participate in all major tournaments.”
Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo was also sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the second half of the 2-0 defeat against Ireland.
Ronaldo currently risks a two-match ban and will miss the first match of the World Cup tournament if Portugal qualify.
Portugal host bottom-placed Armenia in Sunday’s final qualifier, while Hungary host Ireland at the same time. Portugal leads Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary. Ireland are in 3rd place with 7 points.
Earlier, Norway beat Estonia 4-1 in Oslo, with Erling Haaland scoring twice, moving them ever closer to qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. With this victory, Norway’s high-scoring team will effectively secure a spot in next year’s tournament.
England, who have already qualified, maintained their perfect record in Group K by beating Serbia 2-0 at Wembley Stadium and are yet to concede a goal.
In the same group, Albania defeated Andorra 1-0, clinching the runner-up spot.
