PARIS: Michael Olise offered another glimpse of the influence he could have at the World Cup, netting a hat-trick as France edged Northern Ireland 3-1 in a warm-up game in Lille eight days before launching their campaign in the United States.
The in-form playmaker continued his rise as one of Les Bleus’ key attacking weapons, but France’s defensive concerns lingered four days after a 2-1 defeat by Ivory Coast with a much-changed side exposed frailties at the back.
France open their World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16 in Group ‘I’ before facing Iraq and Norway.
Didier Deschamps fielded what is expected to be his starting lineup for France’s opener in New York, with Olise supporting Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue in attack, while William Saliba partnered Dayot Upamecano in defence.
Les Bleus initially struggled to break down a compact low block but found the breakthrough just before halftime.
Doue burst down the left and picked out Dembele in the box. Dembele’s effort was deflected into the path of Olise, who scored to give France the lead two minutes before the interval.
Olise struck again four minutes after the restart, lashing a half-volley into the net after a poor clearance.
Les Bleus, however, switched off defensively at times and were punished on the counterattack as Patrick Kelly met Shea Charles’s cross with a fierce finish to pull a goal back.
However, Olise, 24, put the game beyond doubt in the 75th minute, curling a magnificent strike into the far corner.
“We’ll need a Michel Olise at that level,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Michael stands out because of the season he has had at Bayern and with us.
“He has achieved some really great things, he is full of confidence. He also has the ability to put in the effort, which is remarkable,” the 57-year-old added.
SPAIN DOWN PERU
Meanwhile on Monday, Spain gave a taste of what makes them one of the World Cup favourites with a 3-1 win over Peru in their final friendly.
The European champions were missing Barcelona star Lamine Yamal as he recovers from injury but still had too much for a Peru side who did not qualify.
The 18-year-old Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams are expected to be available for Spain’s World Cup opener against debutants Cape Verde on June 15.
Luis de la Fuente’s team took the lead after just two minutes in Puebla, Mexico, when Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal rifled into the top corner from outside the box.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri doubled Spain’s lead on 32 minutes, and a Pedro Gallese own goal eight minutes after half-time made it 3-0 when the goalkeeper flapped a cross into his own net.
Jairo Velez scored a consolation after 66 minutes in front of a crowd of 46,000.
Coach De la Fuente welcomed another convincing display but played down suggestions that Spain were clear favourites for the title.
“Being recognised as favourites guarantees nothing,” he said. “We have confidence in ourselves and in the way we play, but there are many other national teams with the same quality and ability as us.”
DUTCH EDGE UZBEKISTAN
In Monday’s other friendly, Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo converted two penalties, one with the last kick of the game, to see his side edge Uzbekistan 2-1 that was played behind closed doors at Icahn Stadium, New York City.
Gakpo had opened the scoring with a 31st-minute spot kick and then, two minutes after Uzbekistan had equalised in stoppage time at the end of the game, netted a second penalty for an unconvincing victory.
The Dutch will play their opening Group ‘F’ clash against Japan in Dallas on Sunday.
Uzbekistan are in Group ‘K’ and play their opening game against Colombia in Mexico City June 18.
Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026