France launched their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a solid 2-0 victory against Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland. Kylian Mbappé starred in the match, scoring a magnificent goal late in the second half that brought him level with Thierry Henry as France's second all-time top goalscorer, each with 51 goals. Michael Olise opened the scoring early in the match, setting the tone for a dominant performance by Les Bleus.

The match began with France asserting control, and it didn't take long for them to find the back of the net. In the 10th minute, a well-placed long ball released Bradley Barcola down the left flank. He created space to cross for Olise, who finished confidently into the bottom corner. Despite some promising moments from Ukraine, including a close call when Illia Zabarnyi hit the post, France maintained the upper hand throughout the first half, registering three shots on target compared to Ukraine's none.

As the second half progressed, France remained vigilant, responding to Ukraine's best spell of the match with renewed attacking efforts. Ousmane Dembélé, who was brought on at halftime, was a key figure, although he eventually limped off due to injury. Moments later, Mbappé showcased his brilliance by dancing through the Ukrainian defense before slotting the ball home in the 82nd minute, sealing the win for France.

The victory puts France at the top of their qualifying group with three points, sharing the lead with Iceland. The win is particularly significant as it marks the first World Cup qualifying match since their heart-wrenching defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final. Coach Didier Deschamps expressed satisfaction with the performance, emphasizing the importance of starting the qualifying campaign on a positive note.

As France prepares for their upcoming matches, including a crucial game against other group rivals, they will look to build on this strong start and aim for a successful qualification for the 2026 World Cup.