France 3-1 Northern Ireland result - Les Bleus sign off with victory ahead of 2026 World Cup thanks to Michael Olise hat-trick

France ran out 3-1 winners against Northern Ireland in Lille in their final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will be hoping to win the competition for a third time.

The pattern, as expected, was set early in the match with Northern Ireland sitting deep and looking to frustrate the hosts, who started a strong XI featuring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

Michael O’Neill’s side had a real chance to open the scoring with 15 minutes on the clock. Midfielder Isaac Price played a fantastic pass over to the right-hand side to Patrick Kelly, who lashed his effort towards goal from a tight angle but had to watch it drift agonisingly wide.

Northern Ireland continued to frustrate France, allowing virtually no space in behind and limiting Didier Deschamps' team to side-to-side passing and speculative shots from distance.

France's persistence eventually paid off just minutes from the half-time whistle. Desire Doue cut the ball back to Dembele, who fired an effort on goal which was blocked, the ball then fell to Olise and the Bayern Munich man was on hand to tap home just yards from goal.

Just three minutes into the second half, Olise had his second of the match. Theo Hernandez sent a header towards goal which was cleared only as far as Olise, who unleashed an unstoppable strike past Pierce Charles to double France's advantage.

Northern Ireland continued to work hard both with and without the ball and they pulled one back with 25 minutes to go through Patrick Kelly, who netted his first senior goal for the nation. Shea Charles did brilliantly down the left-hand side to ride the challenge of Dayot Upamecano before finding Kelly in the box and he fired past Mike Maignan.

Just 10 minutes later, Olise completed his hat-trick with a goal that was the pick of the bunch. The 24-year-old cut in from the right-hand side before curling a sensational effort past Charles and into the back of the net.

Despite the defeat in Lille, O'Neill will be proud of his side's performance, as they stuck at their task all evening against one of the best sides in world football. For France, it is a return to winning ways after a 2-1 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire and a confidence-boosting victory ahead of the World Cup.

France kick off their World Cup campaign on Tuesday, June 16, when they take on Senegal.

France 3-1 Northern Ireland

A Michael Olise hat-trick earned France the victory in their final match before the 2026 World Cup.

N'Golo Kante is on for Adrien Rabiot.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added on at the end of this one.

It just hasn't been his night in front of goal tonight. He takes the ball in his stride before blazing an effort over the bar.

Great play from O'Neill who is brave and positive down the left-hand side to win the corner.

Maghnes Akliouche and Manu Kone are on for Aurelien Tchouameni and Michael Olise.

Josh Magennis, Jamie McDonnell and Ceadach O'Neill are on for Patrick Kelly, Isaac Price and Jamie Donley.

Michael Olise has his third and it's the pick of the bunch! The Bayern Munich man cut in from the right-hand side before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner. A sensational goal.

Ethan Galbraith is on for Ali McCann.

Patrick Kelly has pulled one back for Northern Ireland! Fantastic work from Shea Charles down the left-hand side who rides a challenge before firing a ball in for Kelly who taps home from close range!

That really should have been 3-0. The ball is pulled back to Lacroix just in front of the penalty spot but he can only blaze it over.

Lucas Digne, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki are on for Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Theo Hernandez.

More players are being stripped and readied for France.

A huge chance following an incredible passage of play from France! Theo Hernandez cuts the ball back for Mbappe, but it's slightly behind him, and he blazes it over the bar.

Shea Charles tries his luck from distance but rifles his effort wide of the target.

It's 2-0 and it's that man Michael Olise again! Theo Hernandez sends a header towards goal which is cleared only as far as Olise who unleashes an unstoppable strike from close range to double France's lead.

The ball is rolling for the second half.

Maxence Lacroix and Malo Gusto are on for William Saliba and Jules Kounde.