France have officially booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup following a commanding 4-0 victory against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening. The 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up put on a stellar performance, with Aston Villa's Lucas Digne playing the full 90 minutes at left-back.
French Media Verdict on Digne's Display
While the attacking headlines were stolen by a Kylian Mbappe brace and goals from Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike, the defensive contribution of Digne did not go unnoticed. The experienced defender, now with 55 international caps, received generally positive reviews from French media outlets, who were surprisingly critical in their player ratings despite the comprehensive win.
Le Parisien awarded the Villa man a 6/10, noting his defensive solidity: "As often in the national team, he looked comfortable on the left flank, allowing almost nothing through on the rare Ukrainian attacks." The publication highlighted his early through pass to Bradley Barcola and described his performance as confirming his "reliability".
Foot Mercato was slightly more generous with a 6.5/10 rating, praising Digne for holding his own against competition from Theo Hernandez. Their analysis stated he was "strong defensively" and "especially involved in the offensive play of the Blues by delivering numerous crosses and sharp passes".
A Mixed Bag of Reviews
Other publications offered more nuanced takes. 90 Min France also gave a 6/10, pointing out that Digne's left foot initiated several attacking moves in the opening minutes, though the final connection with teammates was sometimes lacking.
The harshest critique came from L'Equipe, who rated the 32-year-old a 5/10, though it is worth noting that in their stringent system, only Mbappe and Olise scored above a 6. Le Figaro offered a middle ground with a 5.5/10, suggesting that "we have the right to expect more from the Aston Villa player with the ball at his feet, especially in such a one-sided match," while still acknowledging his two good attempts to find Mbappe.
What's Next for Digne and France?
With qualification now secured, Digne and the French squad travel to face bottom-of-the-group Azerbaijan on Sunday. France top Group D with 13 points from five matches, while their next opponents have managed just a single point. Digne will be hoping to retain his starting spot after a solid showing in Paris.
The defender's international duties conclude just before Aston Villa face Leeds United in the Premier League on November 23. Digne has been a consistent performer for Unai Emery's side this season, starting ten league matches and registering three assists so far. Following the Leeds clash, Villa's busy schedule includes a Europa League tie against Young Boys and crucial league fixtures versus Wolves, Brighton, and Arsenal.
