What is the story about?
What's Happening?
France opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ukraine, with Kylian Mbappé scoring his 51st international goal, tying Thierry Henry's record. The match took place in Wroclaw, Poland, and saw France take an early lead through Michael Olise. Italy, under new manager Gennaro Gattuso, secured a 5-0 win over Estonia, marking a strong start in their qualifying group. Italy's victory was crucial as they aim to qualify for the World Cup after missing the last two editions.
Why It's Important?
France's win against Ukraine gives them an early advantage in their qualifying group, showcasing their attacking prowess and solidifying Mbappé's status as a key player. Italy's victory is significant as they seek to regain their place in the World Cup, reflecting the pressure on the team to perform after previous failures to qualify. These results highlight the competitive nature of the World Cup qualifiers and the stakes for teams aiming to secure a spot in the tournament.
What's Next?
France will host Iceland in their next qualifying match, while Ukraine travels to Baku to face Azerbaijan. Italy faces a decisive clash against Israel in Hungary, which will be crucial for their qualification hopes. The outcomes of these matches will further shape the standings in the qualifying groups and determine the teams' paths to the World Cup.
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