France opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a confident 2-0 win over Ukraine in Wroclaw, powered by standout performances from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Michael Olise struck early for Les Bleus, finishing Bradley Barcola’s low cross in the 10th minute, but it was Mbappe who sealed the points late on, getting on the end of a Tchouameni pass to put the game out of reach.
Mbappe Leads the Line with Freedom
Deployed
as France’s central striker ahead of Olise, with Barcola and Désiré Doué on the wings, Mbappe was anything but static. He drifted wide, dropped deep, and linked play with fluidity, constantly disrupting Ukraine’s defensive shape.
The PSG forward registered four shots, two of them on target, and completed four dribbles. His persistence and movement were rewarded in the 82nd minute when he made it 2-0, finishing off Tchouameni’s pass. It was a classic Mbappe performance—explosive, unpredictable, and decisive in the final third.
Tchouameni Bosses Midfield
If Mbappe was the finisher, Tchouameni was the enabler. The Real Madrid midfielder put in a commanding two-way display, combining defensive solidity with attacking thrust.
Tchouameni recorded a match-high six tackles, added one interception, and dictated play with a 95.5% passing accuracy. He also completed five of seven long balls, routinely breaking Ukraine’s defensive lines. His vision produced three key passes, including the assist for Mbappe’s goal, and on another day he could easily have collected another assist.
It was the type of authoritative midfield performance that highlights why he has become indispensable for both club and country.
France Impress, but Ukraine Threaten
France’s young, attacking quartet of Olise, Barcola, Doué, and Mbappe dazzled in spells, though at times they looked guilty of overplaying in search of the perfect goal. That nearly cost them, and Ukraine threatened an equalizer in the second half—Artem Dovbyk’s header was cleared off the line by Ibrahima Konaté, and Illia Zabarnyi’s header later struck the post.
Ultimately, Mbappe’s late strike calmed nerves and secured a deserved three points for Didier Deschamps’ side. France now turn their attention to Iceland at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, while Ukraine head to Azerbaijan still searching for their first points.
