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The French media raved about Hugo Ekitike’s sublime individual cameo for his country on Thursday.
The Liverpool forward scored France’s final goal in a 4-0 win over Ukraine that guaranteed its place at next summer’s World Cup. And Ekitke went a long way to securing his spot on the flight to North America at the end of the season.
He was introduced in the 67th minute and operated from the left wing at the Parc des Princes. Ekitike underlined his qualities with an outstanding showing. He hit the post within minutes of coming on, before a penetrative foray down the left resulted in Yehor Yarmolyuk receiving a yellow card for hauling him to the ground.
It was one of several rapid darts in the wide positions, with Ekitike habitually looking to drift inside.
That was the case for his goal, when the former Paris Saint-Germain star drove into a central position, combined with Kylian Mbappe at the edge of the area, and then struck the ball low and hard through the legs of Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
That was the 23-year-old’s first goal for France, on his fifth international cap.
He is clearly making an impression on Didier Deschamps and the French media.
“When the Parc des Princes rose to its feet to give him a standing ovation after his goal, it was clear that something was beginning to happen,” wrote Footmercato.
“Hugo Ekitike brought that extra spark of enthusiasm one expects from a new international, with a refreshing energy in an already emotionally charged evening.
“This first goal could well be the start of a special relationship with French fans. And what if the new darling of Les Bleus had only just made his debut?”
Yahoo’s French-speaking coverage described Ekitke as a "menace throughout."
Maxifoot claimed Liverpool’s no.22 made a “superb entrance,” but given his late introduction did not earn a player rating.
The same is true of L’Equipe and its infamous player ratings, but the outlet did praise Ekitike’s impact after replacing Bradley Barcola.
“I really liked his entrance,” former French international Rio Mavuba wrote in the French newspaper. “He was very dynamic, he really dared.
“This is a match that will count for him because he scored his first goal and his attitude was very positive. He especially offers different possibilities; he is versatile, able to play as a striker or on the left.”
Ekitike is likely to play in France’s final match of the qualification campaign when it takes on Azerbaijan on Sunday.
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