France sealed a 2-0 victory over Ukraine but Didier Deschamps left the pitch with a bitter taste as the Ballon D'Or frontrunner, Ousmane Dembele, hobbled off with a hamstring injury. However, the winger's setback paved the way for Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike to make his international debut in Wraclow.
Ukraine struggled against dominant FranceDembele limped off with worrying injuryMbappe sealed win with trademark strikeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
France wasted little time in stamping their authority on the contest, with Bradley Barcola tearing down the left flank with pace and guile. The Paris Saint-Germain winger set up the first goal in the 10th minute after he squared an inch-perfect pass for Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich star was waiting in acres of space and calmly swept the ball into the bottom corner, giving Les Bleus the advantage their bright start deserved.
Moments later, it almost got even worse for the hosts. A scrambled clearance from the Ukrainian defence fell invitingly to Olise again, this time at the edge of the box. He drilled a low effort that seemed destined for the same corner he had already found. But goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin produced a sensational one-handed save, stretching full length to keep his side in the contest.
At the other end, Artem Dovbyk was enduring a miserable evening as the lone striker. Starved of service and forced to chase lost causes, the AS Roma forward was left isolated against France’s dominant back line. His every foray forward looked hopeless as the French defenders snuffed out danger with ease.
The second half began much like the first, with Didier Deschamps’ side dictating the tempo and enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Yet for all their control, France struggled to add the second goal that would have killed the contest. And suddenly, the visitors were on the ropes. First, Ibrahima Konate was forced into a desperate clearance off the line, heading away a goal-bound effort that had Mike Maignan beaten. Then came an even bigger scare: from a set piece, defender Illia Zabarnyi rose highest and saw his header cannon off the post from yards out. For a few breathless moments, it seemed as though Ukraine might pull off an unlikely turnaround with France rattled.
Just when the visitors needed inspiration, Kylian Mbappe stepped out of the shadows. After a quiet second half by his standards, the captain produced the decisive moment. Gliding past Zabarnyi with trademark pace, he unleashed a ruthless finish into the bottom corner to score his 51st goal for Les Bleus. It was the strike that finally ended Ukraine’s resistance and secured a 2-0 win for France in their opening World Cup qualifier.
AdvertisementTHE MVP
Olise was the star of the show as the former Crystal Palace star calmed the French nerves with an early strike. He could have finished with a brace but for Trubin, who put up an impressive show between the sticks.
AFPTHE BIG LOSER
Dembele was brought on in the second half as a replacement for Desire Doue, but the PSG winger had to be taken off 10 minutes from regulation time, due to a suspected hamstring injury. He limped off the pitch, and instead of sitting with his teammates on the bench, he headed straight towards the tunnel, leaving France and PSG fans with their heads in their hands.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
After a comfortable victory over Ukraine, France will host Iceland next on September 9 as they look to strengthen their grip on a place at next summer's World Cup.
