Michael Olise scored all three goals as France defeated Northern Ireland 3-1 in their final World Cup warm-up match on June 8 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The match took place on a chilly, damp evening with the stadium roof closed [3, 5, 7].
France fielded a lineup close to what is expected for the World Cup, including key players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Olise [1, 2, 3, 5, 7]. Northern Ireland opened the scoring through Patrick Kelly, but France responded with Olise netting three goals despite showing some defensive frailties, including conceding on a counterattack [1, 2].
Coach Didier Deschamps praised Olise’s performance and season form at Bayern Munich. He said, "We’ll need a Michel Olise at that level. 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" [3]. Deschamps also highlighted Olise's work rate and clinical finishing, calling him "amazing" and "decisive and clinical," adding that Olise makes defensive efforts as well [8].
Olise, 24, has scored 7 goals in 17 games for France and previously impressed at the 2024 Paris Olympics under coach Thierry Henry [8, 6]. Former France striker Louis Saha said Olise’s consistency is key, noting that "You have to be in that conversation every time you want a Ballon d'Or. That is what he wants and that is why those performances are the norm for Messi and Ronaldo. I think that is what he is dreaming of and that is what we want in the World Cup" [8].
France’s World Cup campaign starts on June 16 in New Jersey against Senegal in Group I, followed by matches against Iraq and Norway [1, 2, 5, 7].
