France Wins 2-0 Over Ukraine as Mbappé Nears National Scoring Record

France began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Ukraine, highlighted by goals from Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé's goal in the 82nd minute was particularly significant as it marked his 51st international tally, allowing him to equal Thierry Henry as the second-highest scorer in French national team history, only six goals shy of Olivier Giroud's record. Despite some injury setbacks, France maintained control throughout the match, with Mbappé's strike extinguishing a late Ukrainian resurgence. The Real Madrid forward, sometimes criticized, delivered a strong performance and demonstrated his importance to both club and country. This result places France in a commanding position early in Group D, showcasing their depth and offensive prowess. Mbappé’s continued goal-scoring excellence at just 26 years old cements his status among France’s football legends.