(Video) Hugo Ekitike scores his first France goal in Ukraine rout

Hugo Ekitike will always remember the evening of 13 November 2025, each on a person and a collective degree.

The Liverpool striker was named on the substitutes’ bench for France of their World Cup qualifier in opposition to Ukraine on Thursday evening, with Les Bleus realizing {that a} win would verify their place on the finals subsequent summer time.

The match was within the stability at 1-0 when the 23-year-old was introduced on halfway by the second half, however three additional targets ensured that Didier Deschamps’ facet ultimately cruised to victory.

Ekitike scores first aim for France

Two minutes from the top of regular time, Ekitike burst ahead on a prolonged solo run from the midway line to the sting of the penalty space.

He then performed a neat one-two with Kylian Mbappe (a scorer of two targets for France tonight) earlier than slotting an assured first-time end past Anatoliy Trubin to spherical off the scoring for Les Bleus, within the course of netting his first aim for his nation.

Ekitike places his hand up for a spot in World Cup squad

Ibrahima Konate spoke earlier this week of how he cajoled Ekitike into placing in extra fitness center work at Liverpool to earn his first France call-up in September, and the motivational speech has actually had the specified impact!

The run from deep and the execution of the end illustrated the arrogance that’s coursing by the veins of the striker, who’s at the moment the Reds’ high scorer for the season thus far, making a direct impression since becoming a member of from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summertime.

Along with his aim in opposition to Ukraine, the 23-year-old received 4 of his six duels and accomplished 100% of his dribbles, and solely the woodwork denied him a brace in a extremely impactful look off the bench for his nation (Sofascore).

Given the extraordinary attacking wealth at Deschamps’ disposal, Ekitike might want to maintain producing the products if he’s to carve out a beginning berth for Les Bleus, however his brilliantly-taken aim tonight ought to go some technique to guaranteeing him a seat on the airplane to North America subsequent summer time.

You may view Ekitike’s aim in opposition to Ukraine under, taken from FS2’s match protection and shared by way of @TheGoalsZone on X:

🚨🌍 | GOAL: HUGO EKITIKE MAKES IT FOUR FOR FRANCE!

🇫🇷 France 4-0 Ukraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/fBZOFxibIg

— TheGoalsZone ✨ (@TheGoalsZone) November 13, 2025

You may watch Slot’s full post-Man Metropolis press convention by way of Empire of the Kop on YouTube: