Three things we learned as France narrowly defeat Iceland to get closer to 2026 World Cup qualification

France narrowly defeated Iceland at Paris’ Parc des Princes to go top of Group D. Les Bleus went behind in the first half before restoring parity courtesy of Kylian Mbappé’s 52nd goal for France. The Real Madrid striker turned provider for Bradley Barcola to give the hosts the lead. Les Bleus were reduced to ten men as Aurélien Tchouaméni was given his marching orders. France eventually held on to secure a 100% record so far in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Kylian Mbappé gets closer to France’s goalscoring record

For the fourth game in a row, Kylian Mbappé finds himself in the scoresheet for France. The former PSG striker was back in his familiar Parc des Princes hunting ground in his now-favoured centre-forward role. It only took three minutes to register a shot on target – a tame half-volley on the turn. Mbappé led the press and tried to strike a partnership with Marcus Thuram, who is not really a natural on the left wing.

The Real Madrid striker took his responsibility when France needed it most in restoring parity from the spot. In doing so, Mbappé clinched his 52nd international goal to become the outright second-best goalscorer in France’s storied history with Thierry Henry’s tally now firmly in his rear-view mirror. He could have gone ever-closer to Olivier Giroud’s record of 57, but when the occasion presented itself, he fed Bradley Barcola for a tap-in, exactly what a captain should have done.

Individual mistakes could prove costly

Michael Olise and Aurélien Tchouaméni shone through against Ukraine on Friday, but tonight against Iceland, they made matters difficult for their teammates with uncharacteristic mistakes. Olise’s senseless and loose lateral pass to Dayot Upamecano in France’s penalty box was an invitation to score and Iceland duly delivered, laying waste to France’s convincing start.

The Bayern Munich midfielder was far from his usual best. Aurélien Tchouaméni was, on his part, proving that Deschamps might have found the right balance in associating the Real Madrid controller with a ‘destroyer’ like Manu Koné. Tchouaméni’s purple patch met an abrupt end with an unnecessary lunge on Thorsteinsson. This is the second time Tchouaméni has seen red for France since November 2024. Against a more punishing opposition than Iceland, those self-inflicted mistakes could cost France dearly.

France far from the finished product up front

Didier Deschamps had well-reported injury concerns going into this fixture as PSG lamented the losses of both Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, who picked up injuries against Ukraine on Friday. Still, France struggled badly to carve out a spirited but limited Icelandic side despite the abundance of firepower at Deschamps’ disposal.

Deschamps could point to the fact that his attack was experimental with Marcus Thuram fielded as a left-winger, but the Inter Milan centre-forward never features in this position with the Serie A giants. To his credit, Thuram obtained the penalty kick that led to France’s equalizer, but his output with Les Bleus remains a concern (2 goals in 31 games). In the end, a penalty and a well-worked long ball were enough to beat Iceland, but France look far from the finished product up front.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval