France is officially heading to the 2026 World Cup—and they did it in style. Kylian Mbappé delivered a sensational performance, scoring twice in a commanding 4-0 victory over Ukraine that sealed France’s qualification. But on the same night, the football world was stunned as Cristiano Ronaldo received the first red card of his international career, leaving Portugal to suffer a surprising 2-0 defeat to Ireland.
Mbappé, the heartbeat of the French squad, opened the scoring with a confident penalty and later tapped in another after a chaotic scramble in front of goal. His brilliance continues to shape modern football, now placing him at 55 goals for France—just two behind national legend Olivier Giroud.
Coach Didier Deschamps praised his captain’s performance, saying that Mbappé lifts the team every time he steps on the pitch. With additional goals from Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitiké, France dominated every minute of the second half, securing the top spot in Group D.
Meanwhile in Dublin, Portugal expected to celebrate qualification. Instead, the night took a historic and devastating turn. Ronaldo was initially shown a yellow card for elbowing Dara O’Shea—but VAR changed it to red minutes later. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez called the decision “harsh,” noting Ronaldo’s spotless record across 226 appearances.
The loss delays Portugal’s qualification hopes, which now rest on their final match against Armenia. With FIFA disciplinary rules in play, Ronaldo is automatically suspended for that match—and risks further punishment.
Elsewhere, Norway’s Erling Haaland continued his unstoppable form, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Estonia. Norway now stands on the brink of its first World Cup appearance since 1998. Italy kept its hopes alive with two late goals in a 2-0 win over Moldova but now faces a near-impossible nine-goal challenge against Norway for automatic qualification.
England, already qualified, maintained its flawless record with a 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley, extending its streak without conceding a single goal.
In the end, this night was more than a series of matches—it was a reminder of why football captures our hearts. Triumph, shock, heartbreak, and brilliance all unfolded in 90-minute chapters across Europe. These moments are why the world watches. These stories are why the game lives on.
