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Ibrahima Konate put in a solid display as France began its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ukraine on Friday.
The Liverpool defender has endured a difficult time on the international stage in 2025 and was hooked at half-time in March’s Nations League quarterfinal against Croatia. He also struggled in June’s 5-4 defeat to Spain and received a zero rating from the notoriously harsh L’Equipe post-match verdict.
But with William Saliba injured, Konate started alongside Dayot Upamecano at the heart of defense on Friday and received a much kinder L’Equipe rating of 6/10. Upamecano’s 7/10 was the highest score from France’s back five.
Get France Football gave Konate the same rating, with the Liverpool defender’s headed clearance off the line an individual highlight.
It was also a night to remember for Hugo Ekitike as he earned his maiden France cap after coming off the bench in the final nine minutes.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt man was originally left out of the France squad, but an injury to Rayan Cherki resulted in a late call-up for Liverpool’s summer signing.
Speaking after the match, Ekitike told L’Equipe: “Everything is moving fast. It was a week like my start at the club. Everything is moving fast, and you have to be ready.
“When I was called to come in, I didn't think too much. I told myself that I was going to put energy into being available for the team, especially in this match context where we have a score to keep.”
He could have even marked the game with a goal, had captain Kylian Mbappe opted to pass from a France breakaway rather than attempt a chip shot that was easily held by Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
“It was stupidity,” Mbappe admitted to RMC Sport after the match. “This kind of gesture is beautiful if it's successful, but when it's not, it quickly becomes stupid. Next time, we'll have to use it or not use it.”
The Real Madrid star did get on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win and registered his 51st French goal, drawing level with Thierry Henry. He is now just six behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time record.
Meanwhile, Ousamane Dembele limped out of the game, an update Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly livid about, given he sustained a similar issue in last week’s win over Toulouse.
Didier Deschamps had faced questions about Dembele’s fitness in the build-up to the game, but defended his decision to select the Ballon d’Or nominee.
“If he wasn't fit, I wouldn't bring him in,” Deschamps said. “In addition, it was not the same thigh. Unfortunately for him it happened; it can happen to someone who has had nothing before.
“But if I bring him in, he's fit; otherwise, I would have brought in another player. But because of what he thought about himself and the medical situation, there was not the slightest apprehension.”
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