"Kylian Mbappe hit a brace while Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike also scored as France thrashed Ukraine 4-0 to secure World Cup qualification, after an evening marked by tributes to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks. Captain Mbappe coolly chipped in from the spot 10 minutes into the second half at the Parc des Princes on Thursday, and the impressive Olise doubled France's lead on 76 minutes."
"A minute's silence was impeccably observed before kickoff by the 41,000 spectators as France marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks in and around Paris on November 13, 2015. Most of the 130 victims of the attacks were killed at the Bataclan concert hall in the capital, where they were attending a concert. One person also died near the Stade de France in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, where multiple explosions took place as suicide bombers attempted to enter the ground during a friendly between Les Bleus and Germany."
"With one game still to come in Azerbaijan on Sunday, France have an unassailable six-point lead over both Iceland and Ukraine at the top of European qualifying Group D. Winners of the World Cup in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France maintain their record of having made it to every edition of the tournament since missing out on a place in the US in 1994. While they can look forward to the draw for the finals, which takes place in Washington, DC, on December 5, Ukraine and Iceland meet each other on Sunday in a showdown to decide who continues into the playoffs next March."
France secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 home victory over Ukraine at the Parc des Princes. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, including a cool penalty ten minutes into the second half. Michael Olise extended the lead on 76 minutes and Hugo Ekitike scored his first goal for the national team late on. A minute's silence was observed by 41,000 spectators in memory of the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks. Didier Deschamps remains coach and will step down after the upcoming World Cup. France lead Group D by six points with one game remaining.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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