Michael Olise hat-trick gives France victory over Northern Ireland (3:1)
In the last friendly match before the World Cup, Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise scored his first hat-trick for the French national team, converting all three of his chances. Kylian Mbappé failed to find the net, and his goal was disallowed for offside.
Olise's hat-trick and farewell to home turf: How France beat Northern Ireland ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Main event
On the evening of June 8, 2026, the Decathlon Arena in Lille hosted the French national team's final home rehearsal before the quadrennial showpiece — the World Cup, which kicks off in the United States in just a few days. Les Bleus welcomed Northern Ireland in a friendly that was meant to answer lingering questions after an unexpected defeat to Ivory Coast a week earlier. Fan expectations were high — this was the last chance to see the team on home soil, and for head coach Didier Deschamps, the match was a farewell on home turf after 14 years at the helm of the national side.
The first half was tough for the hosts. Northern Ireland, who incidentally are future opponents of Ukraine in the Nations League, showed surprisingly organized and disciplined play. The visitors' young players, with an average age of just 22.6, acted boldly and selflessly, preventing France's star-studded attack from fully unleashing. Kylian Mbappé, deployed as a central striker, was constantly under tight defensive pressure, while Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué could not find free spaces in the opposition box.
It seemed Michael O'Neill's side would keep the score level until the break, but two minutes before halftime, the first breakthrough came. The attack started with a long ball from Dayot Upamecano, who found Doué on the left flank. He passed to Dembélé, whose shot deflected off a defender's leg and fell straight to Michael Olise, who calmly slotted it into the net. That goal was a psychological turning point — France went into the break ahead, and the stadium breathed a sigh of relief.
The second half began with a quick doubling of the lead. Just four minutes after the restart, another defensive error by the visitors — Trai Hume mishit a clearance, and Olise, picking up the loose ball, unleashed a powerful first-time strike from outside the box into the far corner. It was a moment of pure technique and composure that had the crowd chanting the Bayern Munich midfielder's name. However, France then relaxed. Northern Ireland refused to give up, and in the 64th minute, Shea Charles won a physical duel against Upamecano and delivered a perfect pass to Patrick Kelly, who slotted home first time past Mike Maignan. The visitors reduced the deficit to a minimum, and for a few minutes, the stadium atmosphere grew tense.
But that was when the evening's hero took matters into his own hands. In the 75th minute, Olise drifted from the right flank into the center, beat one defender, and curled a stunning left-footed shot into the top corner of Pierce Charles's goal. The Stade Pierre-Mauroy erupted in applause. It was a masterpiece worthy of capping off the last home match of a great team, and the final score was 3-1 in favor of Les Bleus.
Details and statistics
Michael Olise was not only the main architect of the victory but also something of an anti-hero for his captain. Scoring his first hat-trick for the national team, the French Bayern Munich winger set a personal record. All three goals came from open play — the first a rebound, the second a powerful strike from a loose ball, and the third a delicate curler from 20 meters. Notably, Olise scored all three with his supposedly weaker left foot (or right, depending on the assessment, but sources emphasize his ability to handle the ball with his less favored side), highlighting his incredible technical skill. This hat-trick was the first for the French national team since November 2023, when Kylian Mbappé scored four against Gibraltar.
Olise's season statistics are even more impressive. In the 2025/26 season for Bayern, he played 32 Bundesliga matches, scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists, totaling 34 goal contributions. In the UEFA Champions League, he has 13 appearances, 5 goals, and 8 assists. Including his national team performances, his total goal contributions this season exceed 57, placing him alongside Europe's most effective attacking players.
In contrast, Kylian Mbappé's numbers looked lackluster. The Real Madrid captain finished the match with one of the lowest ratings in the team (6.6 according to statistical systems). He took several shots, but none found the target, and his goal was disallowed for offside. Mbappé continues his pursuit of Olivier Giroud's record (54 goals for the national team), but his goalless run in recent friendlies is a cause for some concern.
Dembélé, on the other hand, registered an assist, albeit a deflected one, but it was still counted. Désiré Doué, starting the match, earned a 7.1 rating, working actively on the left flank. Patrick Kelly, who scored the only goal for the Irish, admitted after the match that "it hasn't sunk in yet" and that he was "bloody delighted" to score at 21 in his debut match.
Context and significance
This match was not just a formality before the World Cup. For Didier Deschamps, who announced his departure as head coach after the World Cup in the United States, the game in Lille was his final home farewell. Deschamps, who won the title in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, has led the national team for 14 years. The friendly against Northern Ireland was his 165th match in charge of Les Bleus. The emotional moment was heightened by the team's desire to go on leave (before heading overseas) on a high note, redeeming themselves after the defeat to Ivory Coast (which many attributed to an experimental lineup and 10 substitutions at halftime).
Furthermore, France are one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup. In the group stage, they will face Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. A victory over a solid mid-tier team like Northern Ireland (themselves a tough, combative side) was meant to restore confidence in the attack. This was especially important after injuries to several key players. For instance, Eduardo Camavinga, Antoine Griezmann, and Randal Kolo Muani were absent from the squad.
Olise's hat-trick amid Mbappé's struggles sparked debate: is the team too dependent on its captain? But ahead of the 2026 World Cup, this is more of a plus — Deschamps now has a second reliable option for finishing attacks. Olise, who plays as a right winger but can drift inside, creates competition in the attacking line, which only boosts the team's fighting spirit.
What's next / Preview of the next match
For France, the friendly against Northern Ireland marked the final point in their European preparations. The team now flies to the United States, where they will settle into a training base. Les Bleus' next official match will be in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the schedule approved after the draw, France will start in Group G. Upcoming matches:
- Opening match: France vs. Senegal (one of Africa's strongest teams, led by Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mané). This game will be crucial for topping the group.
- Second match: France vs. Iraq. The Asian side will debut in the expanded tournament in 2026 and will aim to cause an upset.
- Third match: France vs. Norway (Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard's team). This match promises to be the toughest in the group, given the Scandinavians' attacking power.
Before taking the field in the US, Deschamps will have a few days of intensive training to adapt to the time zone and climate. Losses due to injuries (the absence of Camavinga and Griezmann is significant), but Olise's emergence and the return of N'Golo Kanté (who at 35 is still in the squad) offer hope for a deep tournament run.
Editorial prediction
Although the match against Northern Ireland is over, we can analyze how this game will affect the balance of power in the French squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Olise's hat-trick dramatically changes the starting lineup dynamics. Before this match, it seemed the right flank was firmly held by Dembélé, with his explosive speed and dribbling. However, Olise proved he is more effective in finishing attacks. His composure and ability to shoot with both feet (especially his left) make him an ideal option against low blocks, which Iraq and Senegal are likely to deploy against France.
World Cup 2026 prediction: We believe Olise has broken into the starting lineup for more than just one game. Deschamps, known for his conservatism, is unlikely to bench Dembélé for the Senegal match, but rotation will be extensive. If Olise continues in the same vein, he could become a key assister or scorer by the knockout stages.
As for Mbappé, his "silence" in the last two friendlies is a temporary phenomenon. The Real Madrid captain always decides big tournament outcomes, and two friendlies are unlikely to affect his status. However, the creative burden in midfield now falls on Aurélien Tchouaméni and N'Golo Kanté, given Griezmann's absence. Without Griezmann, who was the "brain" of the team in past tournaments, the link between midfield and attack must be restructured. In this regard, Olise's role as a "nine" or "ten" becomes even more crucial.
Bottom line: France approaches the 2026 World Cup with a formidable attack aiming for a double (winning the 2018 and 2026 World Cups). Deschamps' biggest headache now is not Griezmann's absence, but choosing between Olise and Dembélé — a problem any coach would dream of. If Les Bleus maintain defensive concentration, they are fully capable of reaching the semifinals, and with favorable circumstances, even the final, allowing Deschamps to retire in style. The first serious test is Senegal, which will surely test the youth of the Irish defensive line.
— Editorial Team
