France defeated Ukraine 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but the win came with concerns. Désiré Doué, who started the first half, and Ousmane Dembélé, introduced at the break, both went off injured. Bradley Barcola then carried more of the attacking responsibility, while Ukraine relied on a rock-solid performance from Ilya Zabarnyi despite the loss.
Désiré Doué: a first half cut short
Handed a starting role, Doué tried to make himself available between the lines, completing 22 of his 25 passes (88%) and registering 4 touches inside the opposition box. He also attempted 3 shots, 1 on target, for a total of 0.15 xG. Just as he was beginning to find space, a knock forced him off at halftime — a frustrating end to a promising showing.
Ousmane Dembélé: sharp impact, but short-lived
Coming on at the break to replace Doué, Dembélé immediately looked to attack defenders: 3 touches in the box, 0/2 dribbles completed, and one clear chance missed. Unfortunately, a muscle injury cut his appearance short, forcing France to reorganize their right flank. Two successive injuries on the same wing prevented Les Bleus from fully exploiting their attacking potential.
Bradley Barcola: energy and penetration
In this context, Barcola stepped up. The 22-year-old recorded a team-high 9 touches inside the opposition box, underlining his constant presence in dangerous areas. His numbers included 2 shots (0.40 xG) and 1/1 successful dribble. However, he also missed a big chance — a reminder that while his performance was promising, there is room for improvement.
Ilya Zabarnyi: Ukraine’s defensive rock
On the Ukrainian side, Ilya Zabarnyi delivered a standout display despite the defeat. Completing 44 of 56 passes (79%), he tried to build play under French pressure. Defensively, he won several key duels, stopping Mbappé and Barcola on multiple occasions. His performance confirmed his status as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s defense.
Key Stats
- Doué: 3 shots (1 on target), 22/25 passes (88%), 4 touches in the box.
- Dembélé: 0/2 dribbles completed, 1 big chance missed, went off injured.
- Barcola: 9 touches in the box (match-high), 2 shots (0.40 xG), 1/1 dribble completed.
- Zabarnyi: 44/56 passes completed (79%), multiple duels won vs French attackers.
Conclusion
France’s victory is positive on paper, but the injuries to Doué and Dembélé cast a shadow over the result. Barcola showed initiative but must become more clinical. For Ukraine, Zabarnyi’s commanding display proved they can rely on a central defender of real quality.
