There was symbolism, emotion and what was at stake this evening at the Parc des Princes, and the Blues did not tremble. In a special match played ten years after the attacks of November 13, the French team scored a large victory (4-0) against Ukraine, synonymous with official qualification for the 2026 World Cup. An eighth consecutive World Cup for Didier Deschamps’ men, who took time to break free before accelerating in the second period. All in an atmosphere combining contemplation and celebration, with an audience that was just waiting for a spark to explode. She arrived, among others, from a new darling who is determined to secure her ticket to the Americas, and her name is Hugo Ekitike.
Because beyond the qualification, this France–Ukraine also highlighted the rise of a new wave. Several young people have left a real mark. But the one who capsized the Park in a quarter of an hour was Hugo Ekitike. Coming into play at a time when France were accelerating, the Reds striker showed why Didier Deschamps had decided to offer him this opportunity. In a match that the Blues now mastered without difficulty, the former Parisian brought energy, spontaneity, and above all accuracy in the last meters. In other words, exactly what France lacked in a difficult first period.
A first goal for the selection
Technically, his statistics speak for him. Author of his first goal in Blue, Ekitike finished the match with 4 shots, 2 on target, 1 post, 2 successful dribbles out of 2 attempted, and 2 fouls suffered in just 22 balls played. If he missed two chances, he made up for it with an immediate impact. His full-line finish for the fourth goal, after a perfectly executed one-two with Kylian Mbappé, confirmed what we had perceived from his first touches, namely confidence, verticality, and a sense of purpose which was just waiting to blossom. “It’s a childhood dream. Every time I have minutes on the field, I try to show my abilities and that I am there to help the group, no matter the playing time and even off (the field). I’m happy to be rewarded. I hit the post last time, I also hit it this time, so I’m happy», reacted the main person concerned at the microphone of TF1. In the game, the Liverpool striker displayed interesting cleanliness with 67% of successful passes, particularly in his own half, proof that he did not want to force his talent.
“For the moment, I’m looking at it with a cool head, I want to continue performing because I’m someone who’s getting a taste for it and who wants to continue doing what he does. We will continue to score goals and participate in victories. Obviously, it’s a bit special, it’s a stadium that I know well. Scoring my first goal for the French team here is a bit symbolic for me and it’s a feeling of victory. The coach was obviously happy for me. He trusted me by giving me these minutes and I hope I gave him back. I felt that he was happy and I hope that I will give him that feeling again», concluded the 23-year-old striker in the mixed zone. And when the Park stood up to give him a standing ovation after his goal, we understood that something was being born. Hugo Ekitike brought that extra enthusiasm that we expect from a neo-international, with a refreshing passion in an evening already very charged with emotions. This first goal could well be the start of a special relationship with French supporters. What if the new darling of the Blues had just made his debut?
