Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike achieves 'childhood dream' as France's 'perfect substitute'

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCAn excellent night for Liverpool's international contingent as Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai both play their parts in wins for France and HungaryHugo Ekitike spoke of a "childhood dream" being realised after he opened his international account in stunning fashion as France beat Ukraine 4-0 on Thursday evening.And a successful night for Liverpool's international contingent continued with the in-form Dominik Szoboszlai registering an assist in a 1-0 victory for Hungary against Armenia.After Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe had scored a brace either side of a goal from Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, Ekitike scored a superb effort with two minutes of normal time remaining at Parc des Princes.READ MORE: Liverpool could benefit from unexpected transfer windfall as Xabi Alonso phone call sharedREAD MORE: Alexander Isak's situation remains unchanged as Graham Potter gives updateEkitike received the ball in a wide area in his own half before a surging run took him to the edge of the Ukraine box. A give-and-go inside the area with Mbappe provided him the space to finish and cap a perfect evening for Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus.Ekitike also went close with a poked effort that struck the outside the post after a through ball from Olise and he was a handful throughout his second-half cameo that lasted a little over 25 minutes in Paris.“It’s a childhood dream," Ekitike said.

In that time, he took four shots and scored his first-ever goal for France."GetFranceFootball added: "Ekitike was a menace throughout. The Liverpool centre-forward was heavily involved in France’s third goal, with Mbappe given a tap-in for his 55th France goal.

Ekitike then opened his account for Les Bleus with [just] minutes remaining on the clock."“We didn’t put enough speed into our passing or our movement," Deschamps said. We did what we had to do.”The win means France will be at next summer's World Cup in North America and Mexico, while Hungary's triumph sees them in second, a point ahead of the Republic of Ireland and two behind Group F leaders Portugal.Marco Rossi’s Hungary scored the only goal of the game when Reds star Szoboszlai clipped a ball into the box for Barnabas Varga to head home.Liverpool knocks 50% off kits and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.