France ease past Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifier thanks to Mbappé and Thauvin

France continued their unbeaten start to their FIFA World Cup campaign with a comfortable win over Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes on Friday night (3-0).

Mbappé hunting records

France began their World Cup qualifying campaign with two wins, against Ukraine (2-0) and Iceland (2-1) in September. Results elsewhere must go their way, however, there is a chance of Les Bleus securing their chance in next summer's tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico during the current international break.

However, to ensure that is the case, they must win their own games. It was a difficult task against Azerbaijan. Whilst Les Bleus have a stellar record of beating the Eastern European nation, and heavily, they came up against a stubborn low block that flitted between a 6-3-1 and 5-4-1 formation.

Naturally, chances were at a premium. Kylian Mbappé went close inside the opening seconds, but his well-struck effort flew over the bar. However, the Real Madrid forward, hunting down Olivier Giroud to become France's all-time top-scorer, opened the scoring thanks to a moment of brilliance.

Accelerating the game, he burst through the Azerbaijan defence, combining with Hugo Ekitiké's deft touch, continuing his run into the box and then tucking into the far corner in first-half injury-time. That was his 53rd goal for Les Bleus as he continues to close in on Giroud's record of 57. "I hope he reaches 100," said Lille forward Giroud, evoking the record that he himself set over the course of a stellar career in Bleu.

Ekitiké goes close in search of first France goal

Deschamps called for fewer touches from his side and more incision at the break. That is what he got in the second half. Ekitiké immediately went close, benefitting from an interception from former Nice midfielder Khéphren Thuram, bursting into the box and rifling an effort off the far post.

Mbappé then went close, failing to make the most of a three-versus-two scenario and seeing his deflected effort fall onto the roof of the net.

However, Les Bleus did get their reward for a more ambitious second-half performance. Mbappé turned the provider, putting a cross to the back post, which was headed home by former Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

Possessionally, it was a highly dominant performance from Les Bleus, who had nearly four-fifths of possession at the Parc des Princes. That dominance was reflected in the final score.

WHAT A VOLLEY 🔥
WHAT A COMEBACK 🔥

FLORIAN THAUVIN. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/YipbvtbwGH
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 10, 2025

On for the injured Mbappé, Florian Thauvin needed just three touches to mark his return to international football. Six years after his last call-up, his first touch put the ball out to Théo Hernandez, the second controlled Hernandez's cross, and the third rifled home an acrobatic effort. It was quite a way for the Lens man to reintroduce himself to international football.

France continue their 100% record in their World Cup qualifying campaign, and if results elsewhere go their way next week, their place in next summer's tournament could be secured.

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