Ukraine Share Spoil With France
France’s World Cup qualification hopes started with a slip as they could only draw 1-1 against Ukraine at the Stade de France on Wednesday evening.
Les Bleus were dominant, but Antoine Griezmann’s first half strike was later cancelled out when Presnel Kimpembe turned into his own goal, seeing the spoils shared.
Despite their star-studded line-up and bench, France weren’t able to build on their early lead and allowed their visitors a way back into the game.
With less than 20 minutes played, Griezmann put them ahead with a fine strike. Having scored a stunner from range against Huesca recently, the Barcelona forward showed similar technique to curl in from the edge of the area.
This time, though, he was towards the corner of the box and his whipped effort flew in lower than his strike against Huesca.
France did go in search of a second goal, but without any urgency in their game whatsoever. Eventually, that approach was punished.
A shot that didn’t look to be posing much danger from Serhiy Sydorchuck found its way into the net after a violent deflection off Kimpembe, leaving Hugo Lloris hopelessly diving the wrong way.
Having finishing ahead of Portugal in European Championship qualification and beating Spain in the Nations League, Ukraine have now left another of Europe’s bigger sides frustrated.