This archive report was first published on 5 September 2021.
France's world champions were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ukraine in their World Cup qualifier in Group D on September 4, 2021, extending their winless streak to five games.
Ukraine took the lead when Mykola Shaparenko found the back of the net after 44 minutes, but France restored parity early in the second half through Anthony Martial's goal.
France still top the group on nine points from five games, with three days to go before hosting second-placed Finland, who beat Kazakhstan 1-0.
Ukraine are third behind the Finns, who also have five points but have two games in hand, with Bosnia and Kazakhstan both on two points.
Coach Didier Deschamps said, "It was much better in the second half and we have regrets in the first as we conceded the goal just after missing a chance."
Deschamps added, "Playing all these matches in a row is tricky and very demanding but I'm not looking for excuses."
Anthony Martial, who scored his second international goal and his first since September 2016, said, "It was a tough game for us today but at least we managed to equalise in a very important game."
France got off to a lively start but struggled to find a way past the hosts' five-man defence, with Antoine Griezmann having a first attempt on 27 minutes and Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko forcing Hugo Lloris into a superb save in the 35th.
