In the penultimate round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign Ukraine faced the leader of the group, France, at the Parc des Princes.
Two Dynamo players were in the national team’s starting lineup - Oleksandr Karavaiev and Taras Mykhavko, for whom this match was his debut for Ukraine. He played as the left centre-back in a system with three central defenders.
The hosts dominated the first half, pinning Ukraine back in the final five minutes before halftime when Bradley Barcola created the best chance. He struck sharply from outside the penalty area towards the far corner but Trubin made a brilliant save, tipping the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
France began the second half actively as well and eventually got their goal. In the 54th minute the referee awarded a penalty to the “blue-and-yellows” after a foul by Mykhavko inside the box for which Taras received a yellow card. Mbappé converted the penalty with a “Panenka,” opening the scoring.
France’s minimal lead lasted until the 76th minute when Michael Olise killed the intrigue with a second goal. Seven minutes later Mbappé completed his brace, making it 3:0 by finishing into an empty net from close range. A few minutes after that Mbappé assisted Ekitike who scored the fourth and final goal of the match.
In addition to Karavaiev and Mykhavko two more Dynamo players appeared in the game. Mykola Shaparenko came on in the 64th minute and Nazar Voloshyn in the 85th. Mykhavko played 75 minutes while Karavaiev completed the full match.
With this win over Ukraine France secured first place and a direct ticket to the World Cup after the group stage. Ukraine will fight for second place - which grants a place in the qualification play-offs - in the final round against Iceland. The decisive match will take place on November 16 in Warsaw. Only a win will suit Ukraine.
2026 World Cup qualifiers. Group D
13 November. Paris. Parc des Princes
France – Ukraine – 4:0
France: Maignan – Koundé (Gusto, 89), Saliba, Upamecano, Digne – Kanté, Koné (Zaire-Emery, 80) – Olise (Nkunku, 89), Cherki (Akliouche, 68), Barcola (Ekitike, 67) – Mbappé.
Ukraine: Trubin – Karavaiev, Zabarnyi, Svatok, Mykhavko (Zubkov, 75), Mykhailychenko – Ocheretko (Shaparenko, 64), Yarmoliuk (Voloshyn, 85), Nazaryna – Hutsulyak (Vanat, 64), Yaremchuk (Tsyhankov, 75).
Goals: Mbappé (55, pen., 83), Olise (76), Ekitike (88)
Bookings: Koné (31) – Mykhavko (54), Yarmoliuk (74)
Photo: UAF
