Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his second goal in as many starts for France as Didier Deschamps’ men came through an early scare to beat Azerbaijan 3-1 in Baku.
There was nothing on the line in France’s final outing in 2026 World Cup qualifying after Thursday’s 4-0 victory over Ukraine sealed their spot at next year’s tournament.
Les Bleus named a much-changed team at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, with Kylian Mbappe among their absentees after he withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury.
And Azerbaijan were dreaming of a famous win when Renat Dadashov got across the front post to divert Rahman Dasdamirov’s left-wing cross home in the fourth minute.
The hosts continued to take the game to France, but the visitors got level in the 17th minute as Mateta met Malo Gusto’s dinked cross with a close-range header.
France had two goals disallowed for handball in the build-up during the first half, with Christopher Nkunku and Khephren Thuram the players to be denied.
However, they still entered half-time with a two-goal cushion as Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche got off the mark in international football with a tap-in, and Azerbaijan goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev sent a miscued punch into his own net under pressure from Thuram.
There was less goalmouth action in the second half as France exerted total control, with Mateta spurning a chance for his first international brace and Thuram also firing over.
France finish top of Group D in the UEFA qualification process with 16 points from six games, six clear of Ukraine, who leapfrogged Iceland with a 2-0 win elsewhere on Sunday.
C’est terminé à Bakou ! L’Équipe de France conclut l’année 2025 en beauté avec une victoire 3-1 face à l’Azerbaïdjan
On se donne désormais rendez-vous en mars pour lancer la préparation à la Coupe du monde #AZEFRA pic.twitter.com/exz4SdGQSB
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) November 16, 2025
Data Debrief: Mateta’s fast start
Mateta now has two goals in his first three senior international caps, with his first strike in France colours coming when he started October’s chaotic 2-2 draw with Iceland.
He is the first player to score on his first two starts for Les Bleus since May 2004, when Louis Saha did so.
After Azerbaijan’s fast start, France were ultimately comfortable, firing off 17 shots compared to two for the hosts and winning the expected goals (xG) battle 2.72 to 0.15.
