Hugo Ekitike of France celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between France and Ukraine at Parc des Princes on November 13, 2025 in Paris, France.placeholder image
Hugo Ekitike of France celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between France and Ukraine at Parc des Princes on November 13, 2025 in Paris, France. | Getty Images
It was a good night for a couple of Liverpool stars on international duty
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike scored a stunning goal for France on Thursday night as he helped his national side to a comfortable 4-0 win over Ukraine and seal a place at the 2026 World Cup.
The game was 0-0 at half-time but France came out reinvigorated for the second half and scored four goals without reply to secure their spot at next summer’s tournament. Ibrahima Konate was left on the bench for France as Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba played in the heart of defence.
Ekitike was also on the bench but was introduced with 67 minutes gone when the score was just 1-0. Kylian Mbappe had scored from the penalty spot before Michael Olise of Bayern Munich added a second on 76 minutes. Mbappe scored France’s third of the night on 83 minutes.
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike scores stunner for France
Five minutes later, Ekitike stole the show.
The Liverpool striker picked up the ball in his own half and burst away from a defender with another two Ukraine players failing to catch up as Ekitike ran directly toward goal. A defender stepped up to him on the edge of the box but he passed to Mbappe and ran into space vacated by the defender as the ball was immediately returned to him by the Real Madrid star.
Ekitike hit it first time through the goalkeeper’s legs to seal a comfortable win for France and celebrate a stunning goal in front of the home support. France finish their World Cup qualifying campaign with a long trip to Azerbaijan on Sunday night.
Dominik Szoboszlai assists as Hungary World Cup hopes handed boost
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was also in action on Thursday night as he helped Hungary to a 1-0 win in Armenia. The Reds man provided a beautiful, teasing cross into the box which Barnabas Varga rose highest to meet and score the only goal of the game.
Szoboszlai was in his usual domineering mood with 49 of his 51 passes finding a teammate while he produced six of eight accurate crosses and six out of six accurate long balls. He also made seven recoveries.
Reds left-back Milos Kerkez also featured as he played 86 minutes. The win appeared rather inconsequential in terms of Hungary’s automatic World Cup hopes with Portugal five points above them before the international break.
However, that lead is now just two points going into the final gameweek as Portugal suffered a shock 2-0 loss against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. Troy Parrott scored twice as Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off.
Hungary host Ireland in their final game while Portugal play Armenia. Szoboszlai and co will need a favour from Armenia and will likely need to try and beat Ireland by a big margin in the event both they and Portugal finish level on points. However, Thursday’s results have renewed hope for Hungary heading into the final game.
Szoboszlai scored a stoppage-time equaliser last month as Hungary drew 2-2 with Portugal - and now that goal looks even more important after Thursday night’s events.
Continue Reading