The French national team completed their 2026 World Cup qualifying journey in the most convincing way, securing a 3-1 away victory against Azerbaijan. This match in Baku was largely a formality for Coach Didier Deschamps and his team, as they had already officially secured their ticket to the upcoming tournament following a resounding 4-0 win over Ukraine just days prior.
The guaranteed qualification status provided the French strategist with a valuable opportunity to boldly rotate the squad. Deschamps opted for a completely new starting lineup compared to the previous match, including giving several key players a rest—most notably, superstar forward Kylian Mbappé, who did not even travel with the team to Azerbaijan. This willingness to experiment underscored France's depth and confidence heading into the global competition.
An Unpredictable Start to the Contest
Despite fielding a reserve side, the match proved anything but easy in the opening minutes. The French defense was caught off guard in the 4th minute when Renat Dadashov found the back of the net with an accurate finish, giving Azerbaijan the surprising early lead. This sudden score pushed the match into an unpredictable situation, instantly challenging the focus of the rotated Les Bleus lineup.
However, the class and quality inherent to a global football powerhouse quickly asserted itself. Just a few minutes after conceding, France struck back. Jean-Philippe Mateta, seizing his opportunity in the starting XI, equalized with a neat finish, marking his second goal for the national team and restoring parity.
Youthful Talent Seizes the Opportunity
From the equalizer onward, the game decisively tilted in France's favor. The youth movement continued in the 30th minute when Maghnes Akliouche, an emerging talent from AS Monaco, scored his first goal at the senior national team level, increasing the score to 2-1. This moment highlighted the successful integration of new faces into the French structure.
France could have cemented a wider lead before the break when Khéphren Thuram seemingly scored, but the goal was ultimately ruled out by VAR for an earlier offside infringement. Nonetheless, Les Bleus entered halftime with a safe margin, largely thanks to a final strike when Azerbaijan goalkeeper Sahruddin Mehemmedeliyev fumbled the ball into his own net, making it 3-1.
Maintaining Structure and Confidence
The second half saw France adopt a slower, more controlled tempo. They took the initiative to command possession and manage the game, focusing on maintaining their tactical structure and ensuring the safety of their remaining core players. Azerbaijan attempted to mount an attack in the final minutes but lacked the necessary quality and penetration to alter the scoreline against the French defense. The match concluded with a convincing 3-1 victory for Deschamps' side.
The unbeaten record throughout the qualifying round provides a significant boost to France's confidence heading into the 2026 World Cup. The ability to seamlessly incorporate new faces and maintain stable performance, even without star power like Mbappé, speaks volumes about the team’s organizational depth. Players such as Mateta and Akliouche knew how to shine in the absence of the established stars, promising Deschamps a greater variety of tactical options and personnel flexibility for the major tournament ahead.