PLAYER RATINGS | Ukraine 0-2 France: Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé net in World Cup qualifier win | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup Qualifier, 05/09/25

France got their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign underway with a 2-0 win against Ukraine on Friday. Michael Olise got the opener and was influential throughout in Wroclaw, Poland.

The Match

France spent much of the half inside the Ukraine half, dominating possession (63%) and chances (nine shots on target compared to three for Ukraine). Les Bleus scored with their first big chance of the game, with Olise unleashing a first-time effort perfectly past Anatoliy Trubin and into his bottom left-hand corner.

It was the Bayern Munich forward that was at the heart of the playmaking efforts for efforts, whilst he also had the chance to double the advantage, hitting the same corner, with a fiercely-struck shot but one well saved by Trubin on this occasion. Kylian Mbappé, despite coming deep, struggled to get involved in proceedings, but should have done better after swivelling past his marker. His next touch wasn’t as clean, and the shot, from a poor angle, was ultimately harmless.

Doué and Dembélé injured for France

Les Bleus received the first of two blows after half-time, with Désiré Doué forced off with a calf injury. Ousmane Dembélé took his place but struggled to influence proceedings. Instead, it was Ukraine who looked the brighter of the two sides in the second half.

They had two glorious chances just after the hour mark. The first came for Artem Dovbyk, who saw his towering header at the back post headed off the line by Ibrahima Konaté. One minute later, Ukraine went close again. Mike Maignan palmed Georgiy Sudakov’s free-kick away, but the ball came straight back at the France goal, with PSG’s Illia Zabarnyi heading a well-hit effort onto the post.

Having weathered the storm, France reasserted their authority. Barcola, sent through by the excellent Olise, should have done better in a one-on-one situation but blasted over. Les Bleus then suffered their second blow with substitute Dembélé also sustaining an injury (hamstring) and being forced off.

However, the night finished on a positive note. Latching onto an Aurélien Tchouaméni through ball, Mbappé worked a yard on Illia Zabarnyi and put an emphatic shot into the bottom corner. The Real Madrid forward should have doubled his account minutes later, fluffing his chipped effort, however, it was of no consequence as France won 2-0.

France player ratings

Mike Maignan – 5

Lucas Digne – 6

Ibrahima Konaté – 6

Dayot Upamecano – 4

Jules Koundé – 6

Manu Koné – 7

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 7

Bradley Barcola – 5

A typical Barcola performance. The PSG winger was great one-on-one, capable of taking players out of the game and working room for others. His assist for Olise was perfectly delivered, but he missed his big chance. Having been put through by Olise, he had the time to finish one-on-one, but blasted high.

Michael Olise – 8

After a timid start to life in Bleu, Olise is slowly becoming the leader in this France attack. He was the major creative source in the first half and was also on the end of Les Bleus’ best chances. His ball for Barcola in the second half was also indicative of a player who has certainly found his feet in this France squad. The timing could hardly be better.

Désiré Doué – 5

Ineffective and carrying a minor calf injury, he was replaced by Ousmane Dembélé (N/A) at half-time. The PSG winger looked out of rhythm before pulling up and being subbed off before the 80-minute mark, perhaps explaining his lack of performance on the night.

Kylian Mbappé – 5

Granted, he got his goal, and it was well taken in transition. But when his team was struggling, in the second half, he was non-existent, and against a low-block in the first half, he was inefficient and at times clumsy in his use of the ball.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle