France held by Ukraine
France are now without a win in 90 minutes in their last five games, since beating Germany at Euro 2020, following their 1-1 draw away to Ukraine on Saturday evening on 2022 World Cup Qualification.
Les Bleus had drawn by the same scoreline against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their last outing, and were unable to get back to winning ways over the weekend.
Continuing life without ex-coach Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine took a surprise lead at the end of the first half through a Mykola Shaparenko stunner. A loose ball fell his way on the edge of the area and he ran on and thumped into the top corner.
Having missed a chance in the first half when put through by some Paul Pogba brilliance, Anthony Martial levelled in the second as his volley crept just over the line.
France stay top of Group D on nine points from five games, with Ukraine third on five points. Finland, meanwhile, are in second on five points but with two games in hand over both sides.
Ukraine vs France summary: score, goals, highlights, World Cup 2022 qualifier
On the whistle match report
France’s winless streak stretched to five games as Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ukraine in their World Cup qualifier in Group D on Saturday.
The world champions fell behind when Mykola Shaparenko found the back of the net with a stunning striker after 44 minutes before Anthony Martial restored parity early in the second half.
France still top the group on nine points from five games after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Wednesday and three days before hosting second-placed Finland, who beat Kazakhstan 1-0.
Ukraine are third behind the Finns, who also have five points, with Bosnia and Kazakhstan both on two points.
Ukraine vs. France: UEFA World Cup qualifying live stream, TV channel, how to watch online, news, odds, time
France travel to Ukraine without the injured Kylian Mbappe after their unexpected 1-1 draw at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina. While it is not exactly panic stations for the world champions, there are definite signs that the issues which plagued them during UEFA Euro 2020 this summer have not gone away as they sit four points clear of the Ukrainians at the top of Group D.
Mbappe’s return to Paris Saint-Germain to treat his calf problem is one less headache for Didier Deschamps with the 22-year-old once again unrecognizable at international level in Strasbourg compared with his prominent club performances. It is up to Deschamps and his players to do without Mbappe and the suspended Jules Kounde of Sevilla with RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele since added to the group and Olivier Giroud unavailable due to a positive COVID-19 test with AC Milan.
Here is how you can watch the match and what to know:
Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 4 | 2:45 p.m. ET Location: Olimpiyskiy – Kyiv, Ukraine
Olimpiyskiy – Kyiv, Ukraine Live Stream: ESPN+
ESPN+ Odds: UKR +550; Draw +280; FRA -188 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Ukraine: Solid but unspectacular in qualification, the hosts have drawn all four of their matches and that is enough to sit second. Finland are two points further back but have two games in hand and face bottom side Kazakhstan earlier on Saturday. While another draw would not be ideal for Ukraine, the point would be useful as interim coach Oleksandr Petrakov continues to adapt to his squad.
France:
The French continue to look labored, and the attack appears to be particularly stymied. Mbappe’s absence might make things less forced this international break but the issue of him not scoring a competitive goal at international level since mid-2019 continues to linger and neither Antoine Griezmann nor Karim Benzema are gelling particularly well so far.
Prediction
France should get the win, but it will likely be a tight affair. Les Bleus are making a meal of a relatively straightforward group and it would not be a total shock if they are held to another draw. Pick: Ukraine 1-2 France.