After a victory challenged in Ukraine (2-0), the Blues had the opportunity to confirm their good start in the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup. The opportunity was real, especially since the draw between Azerbaijan and Ukraine opened the way towards the first place of group D. at the Parc des Princes, Didier Deschamps was to compose without Ousmane Dembélé nor Doueé, all wounded and For the rest of the gathering. The coach chose to renew nine holders of the trip to Poland, by installing a 4-2-3-1 where Théo Hernandez and Marcus Thuram completed the balance of an eleven carved to hit hard in front of the leader, Iceland.
The decor was planted. An ambitious France, but quickly thwarted by Elias Rafn Olafsson, the Icelandic goalkeeper in a state of grace. Mbappé lit the first wick in the 2nd minute, Thuram multiplied attempts, but Olafsson pushed everything. Then, against the course of the game, Olise was punished on a badly guaranteed withdrawal pass, operated by Andri Guðjohnsen to open the scoring (0-1, 22nd). The blues, stung, reacted by the inevitable Mbappé, which transformed a penalty obtained by Thuram just before the break (1-1, 45th). The second period confirmed their domination, embodied by Manu Koné in the middle and by the incessant activity of Barcola, rewarded by taking over an offering of Mbappé (2-1, 62nd). Reduced to ten after the exclusion of Tchouameni, the Tricolores trembled to the end, but the Var canceled the goal of the double for Guðjohnsen (88th). A fright quickly forgotten. Thanks to this success, France takes the head of group D.
Olivier Giroud in the viewfinder
Under the lights of the Parc des Princes, Kylian Mbappé does not only mark: he writes the story. At just 26 years old, in 92 selections, he just reached 52 goals in the French team, exceeding Thierry Henry, a tricolor football monument. This summit, reached with rare efficiency, allows you to leave its footprint in the annals. While paying tribute to Henry, Mbappé now warns, it targets above: “There are quite a few lessons to be learned, it's not just positive. It allows you to work, to see what is missing. Now we have managed to fill up on points. It's perfect, six out of six. You can't do better. In the game, it is perfectible. There are a lot of lessons to be learned. Each victory is one step, it will be necessary to take several. We are happy to have beaten direct competitors. In October, we're going to give this. It will be a different gathering because we will have played more matches with the club. I am very happy (to have exceeded Thierry Henry, editor's note), I will still talk about Titi, it is a living legend. There is still one person to go beyond (Olivier Giroud, Editor's note), you should not party too much, there is still work ”.
While Didier Deschamps, as usual, underlined the performance of his captain: “He is in his head. He has his legs, he makes a lot of effort and gives a lot of solutions. It is effective because it scores on both games (Ukraine and Iceland, editor's note). He is the leader. He is altruistic, he is well in the game, he has freedom, he can drop out and he has a good understanding with Michael (olise)». But it's just a springboard. Behind stands Olivier Giroud, the absolute record holder of the Blues with 57 achievements, but Mbappé accelerates, relentless. Each game, each gesture in the game, each inspiration – captured in slow motion on the Parisian lawn – brings it closer to the throne. And even if for the moment, he says that the personal record is not his priority. The important thing is to win titles with the Blues, the legendary captain becoming to all the cards in hand for one day reaching and exceeding Giroud. And this, in the eyes of all, here, in the heart of the park, as in the history of France.
