Objective 2026. This Friday evening, the French team launched its qualifying campaign for the next World Cup. Present in group D alongside Iceland and Azerbaijan, the Blues began their journey with a trip to Tarczynski Arena to challenge Ukraine from Sergei Rebrov. For this first challenge, Didier Deschamps opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Maignan in the goals, Koundé and Digne on the sides, Konaté and Upamecano in central hinge. In the middle, Koné and Tchouaméni were associated while Olise accompanied Barcola, gifted and Mbappé on the front of the attack.
Opposite, the Ukrainians organized themselves in 4-5-1 with Trubin in the cages while the PSG player Ilya Zabarnyi evolved him into defense. In attack, Dovbyk was supported by Sudakov, Yarmolyuk and Kaliuzhnyi. After balanced first minutes, the French team was gradually taking control of operations and was rewarded. In legs, Barcola found on the left, timed before focusing towards Olise, which concluded from a strike from the left in finesse (0-1, 10th). Released by this opening of the score, the French team continued its business and lacked the station wagon several times.
The Blues do the job!
After a new strike of olise repelled by Trubin (18th), Doué also came up against the Ukrainian porter (19th) when Mbappé saw him his attempt to fly (23rd). In control, France was still pushing. On a good gifted service in the opposing surface, Tchouaméni controlled in pivot before trying a strike of the law which was right next to the Trubin cage (36th). On the return from the locker room, Dembélé succeeded him in Goué, touched, but the physiognomy of this meeting did not change much. Solid defensively, the French team managed its lead in the face of valiant but limited Ukrainians.
In the last half hour, the Blues lacked the break once again. On a very beautiful aerial pass from Tchouameni, Dembélé chained a volley from the left, at close range, but Trubin was still interposed (58th). Rarely worried, the Blues nevertheless bordered by correctional in stride. After a miraculous rescue of Konaté on his line (65th), Maignan was saved by his post on a head of Zabarnyi (66th). Shaken, France went back to the offensive and Olise was pointed out again but its rolled shot missed the Ukrainian cages (68th).
At the end of the match, Rabiot appeared but the Blues were undergoing a new blow. Back at the break, Dembélé relapsed and was to give way. Bad news that did not disrupt France. Impressive this Friday evening, Tchouameni launched Mbappé into orbit. Faced with Zabarnyi, the Real Madrid striker struck before deceiving Trubin with a limpid strike of the right (0-2, 82nd). A goal finally securing the first victory of the Blues in this qualifying campaign and allowing Didier Deschamps' men to take the lead in group D alongside Iceland.
