Mbappé Praises Olise as France Defeats Brazil in Friendly

FOXBOROUGH (Azat TV) – Kylian Mbappé scored the opening goal and later praised teammate Michael Olise as a 10-man France secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brazil in a glamour friendly match played in the United States on March 26. The win provided a significant confidence boost for France just two and a half months before the World Cup begins.

Mbappé Nears Scoring Record

Mbappé opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a deft chipped finish over goalkeeper Ederson. This goal brought the prolific forward to within one goal of equalling France’s all-time scoring record of 57 goals, currently held by the recently retired Olivier Giroud. Mbappé has now netted 56 goals in 95 international appearances. He will have an opportunity to match or surpass this milestone when France faces Colombia in their next friendly on March 29.

France Overcomes Red Card

Despite playing with ten men for a significant portion of the second half after defender Dayot Upamecano received a red card, France managed to double their lead. Hugo Ekitike scored the second goal in the 65th minute. Brazil managed to pull one back late in the game through Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, but France held on for the win. Coach Didier Deschamps expressed satisfaction with the team’s dynamic, noting their ability to create chances and maintain solidity, even with the disadvantage.

Olise’s Impact and Praise

Michael Olise played a crucial role in France’s attacking efforts, forming a dynamic front line alongside Mbappé, Ousmane Dembele, and Ekitike. Olise was instrumental in France’s second goal, carrying the ball forward from midfield and providing a perfectly timed pass to Ekitike. Following the match, Mbappé specifically lauded Olise’s performance, stating, “Michael is having a fantastic season, he’s enjoying a great moment.” This endorsement highlights Olise’s current form and his growing importance to the French national team.

Brazil’s Struggles and World Cup Preparations

For Brazil, the match highlighted ongoing concerns. Despite qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the team has experienced a rough qualification campaign, including six defeats. The friendly also saw fans chanting for the absent Neymar, with coach Carlo Ancelotti opting to focus on the available players. Ancelotti described himself as “half-satisfied” with the result, acknowledging the team’s competitive spirit but emphasizing that the loss was not ideal. Brazil will face Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti in the group stage of the World Cup.

The victory against a strong Brazilian side, even in a friendly and with a man disadvantage, underscores France’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup. Mbappé’s continued goal-scoring prowess, coupled with the emerging contributions from players like Olise and Ekitike, signals a potent and adaptable attacking force for Didier Deschamps’ squad.