Ukraine v France: Zabarnyi solid, Barcola shines, Doué, Dembélé unlucky | OneFootball

France secured a 2-0 win in Ukraine in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, but this victory left some concerns. Désiré Doué, who started the first half, and Ousmane Dembélé, who came on at halftime, both left their teammates due to injury. Bradley Barcola then took on more offensive responsibilities, while Ukraine relied on a very solid Ilya Zabarnyi in defense despite the defeat.

Désiré Doué: a first half cut short

Starting the match, Doué tried to make himself available between the lines with 22 successful passes out of 25 (88%) and 4 touches in the opposition box. He even attempted 3 shots, including 1 on target, for a total of 0.15 xG. But his influence was limited by an injury that forced him to leave the field at halftime. A frustrating exit just as he was beginning to find space.

Ousmane Dembélé: a sharp but brief appearance

Starting on the bench, Dembélé came on at halftime to replace Doué. His intent to take on defenders was immediate: 3 touches in the box, 0/2 successful dribbles, and a clear missed chance. Unfortunately, his contribution was cut short by a muscle injury, forcing France to reorganize their attack. Two successive injuries on the same flank prevented Les Bleus from fully developing their offensive potential.

Bradley Barcola: activity and drive

In this context, Barcola had to step up. Very active, he recorded the team's highest total with 9 touches in the opposition box, proof of his constant presence in dangerous areas. His stats show 2 shots (0.40 xG) and a perfect dribbling record (1/1 successful). However, he also missed a big chance, symbolizing a match that was both promising and in need of improvement.

Ilya Zabarnyi: the Ukrainian rock

On the Ukrainian side, Ilya Zabarnyi delivered a solid performance despite the defeat. With 44 successful passes out of 56 (79%), he tried to play out from the back under French pressure. Defensively, he won several key duels, repeatedly slowing down Mbappé and Barcola. His match confirmed that he is indeed one of Ukraine's defensive pillars.

Key stats:

Conclusion

Les Bleus' victory is reassuring in terms of points, but the injuries to Doué and Dembélé cast a shadow over the result. Bradley Barcola stepped up, but will need to convert more of his chances. On the other side, Zabarnyi showed that Ukraine can count on a top-level central defender.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.