France conclude World Cup qualifying with win
France concluded their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable win over Azerbaijan on Sunday evening (3-1), despite suffering an early scare.
A record to protect
This game was ultimately a dead rubber for Didier Deschamps' men. Les Bleus' qualification for next summer's World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico had already been ensured thanks to an emphatic 4-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday night.
However, there was more than just pride on the line. There was a record to protect with France unbeaten in qualifying, going into this game. Not only that, there was credit to accrue for some players in the squad.
With qualification confirmed, Didier Deschamps rotated his side heavily, changing his entire XI in Azerbaijan. Some of those changes were enforced with Kylian Mbappé returning to parent club Real Madrid due to ankle inflammation, Eduardo Camavinga dropping out due to a muscular injury, and former Toulouse midfielder Manu Koné missing out through suspension.
First goal with France from Maghnes Akliouche 😍🇫🇷
Congrats, @Nesmaar_A! ❤️🤍 https://t.co/yYoJ8mRnzx— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) November 16, 2025
But most of the changes were entirely through choice for Deschamps, who gave chances to some of the fringe players. It notably gave PSG No.1 Lucas Chevalier the chance to make his long-awaited debut for Les Bleus.
However, the former Lille shot-stopper was quickly beaten as Azerbaijan immediately got on the front foot through a Renat Dadashov effort (4').
Les Bleus fight back
The reaction from France was swift. In the 17th minute, Crystal Palace centre-forward Jean-Philippe Mateta netted his second goal in a France jersey. A recent addition to the international set-up, he is using his game time to good effect in a bid to book his ticket to North America.
The same applies to Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, who, after an impressive cameo against Ukraine last week, and a strong start to the Ligue 1 McDonald's season, got his first goal for France (30'), tapping in at the back post from a Malo Gusto ball across the face of goal.
From there, Deschamps' side were in the ascendancy and by half-time, their lead had been doubled. Former OGC Nice midfielder Khéphren Thuram thought he had scored France's third and his first at international level, only for VAR to rule out the goal, but he thought once again that he had netted just moments later (45').
"It's positive" - Deschamps
Whilst the goal did stand this time, it was not Thuram who could lay claim to it, with the goal instead awarded to Azerbaijan goalkeeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev. From there, Les Bleus were cruising and did not need to overly exert themselves as they concluded their qualification campaign with a routine win, which sees them comfortably sit atop their qualifying group. Next stop: the World Cup.
"We managed it well in the second half, and we finish the calendar year with a win and qualification assured, so it's positive," said Deschamps, who nonetheless lamented France's slow start, but who will have been buoyed by what was a strong and decisive reaction from his players.
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