Kylian Mbappe Leads France to Victory Over Brazil in World Cup Preview
Kylian Mbappé scored midway through the first half, and Hugo Ekitiké added a second-half goal. France defeated Brazil 2-1 in a Thursday friendly at Gillette Stadium.
The match was part of the six-game Road to 26 series. The friendly served as a World Cup preview for both teams.
Match details
France started with Mbappé wearing the captain’s armband. The coaching staff revealed the lineup just before kickoff.
In the 32nd minute, Ousmane Dembélé recovered a Casemiro turnover and played forward to Mbappé. Mbappé chipped goalkeeper Ederson to open the scoring.
The strike was Mbappé’s 56th international goal for France. It left him one behind Olivier Giroud’s national record.
France dominated the first half and created the clearest chances. Brazil did not register a shot on target before halftime.
Second half and red card
Brazil pressured early after the break. Dayot Upamecano was shown a straight red following a VAR review for tripping Wesley França and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
With ten men, France struck on the counter in the 65th minute. Ekitiké finished with a chipped effort over a sliding Ederson to make it 2-0.
Both Mbappé and Ekitiké were later substituted. The match grew chippy, with five yellow cards issued in the remainder of play.
Brazil response and late moments
Brazil responded and reduced the deficit in the 78th minute. Gleison Bremer tapped in after Casemiro kept a free kick alive along the goal line.
The favorites among the announced 66,215 supporters nearly forced a late equalizer. A stoppage-time Bremer pass toward Vinícius Jr. fell just out of reach.
Implications
- France extended its unbeaten run to eight matches.
- The streak dates to a June loss to world No. 1 Spain in the Nations League.
- FIFA rankings for the match listed France at No. 3 and Brazil at No. 5.
- Brazil has lost three of its last six games.
- France will return to Gillette Stadium for a World Cup group-stage match against Norway on June 26.
Report by Jon Couture for Filmogaz.com. March 27, 2026.
