France overcame an early shock to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory against Azerbaijan in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Despite Azerbaijan scoring a historic first-ever goal against the French side, Les Bleus demonstrated their class. Their comeback in Baku capped off a dominant qualification campaign, even without several star players.
This result solidifies France’s position at the top of Group D. Consequently, it reaffirms their status as a top contender for the upcoming tournament.
The Match Unpacked: An Early Scare and a Swift Response
The game at Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium began with a surprising twist. Azerbaijan, playing for pride, came out with impressive energy.
Azerbaijan’s Moment of History
In just the 4th minute, the home crowd erupted. Renat Dadasov found the back of the net after connecting with a sharp low cross. This marked a significant moment for Azerbaijan, as it was their first goal against France in their entire head-to-head history. For a moment, a major upset seemed possible.
Les Bleus’ Inevitable Comeback
However, the two-time World Champions were not rattled for long. France quickly settled into the game and began to assert their dominance. The response was both swift and decisive.
- 17th Minute: Jean-Philippe Mateta leveled the score with a powerful header, converting an excellent cross from Malo Gusto.
- 29th Minute: Maghnes Akliouche scored his first senior international goal, putting France ahead after another assist from the very impressive Gusto.
- 45th Minute: Just before halftime, Khepren Thuram made it 3-1, capitalizing on a corner kick to effectively end the contest.
Depth on Display: A Glimpse into France’s Future
One of the key takeaways from this match was the impressive depth of the French squad. Coach Didier Deschamps, who recently extended his contract until 2026, fielded a team missing several key figures. Superstars like Kylian Mbappé (ankle injury), Eduardo Camavinga, and Manu Kone were all absent.
Nevertheless, the replacement players stepped up brilliantly. The performances of goalscorers Akliouche and Thuram, along with Malo Gusto’s two assists, show that France’s talent pool is incredibly rich. This bodes well for their title defense at the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup 2026: The Bigger Picture
While this match was the final fixture for both teams in the group stage, the result had little impact on the final standings. France had already secured direct qualification as group winners in their previous match. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan was already eliminated from contention, finishing their campaign without a single win.
Across the globe, the qualification picture for the expanded 48-team World Cup is becoming clearer. Teams that have already booked their tickets include:
- UEFA: England, Portugal, Croatia
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia
- CAF: Morocco, Ghana, Egypt
- AFC: Japan, South Korea, Australia
A Historically One-Sided Rivalry
France’s victory continues their absolute dominance over Azerbaijan. Before this match, France had won all previous encounters without conceding a single goal. In fact, their history includes a staggering 10-0 victory during the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 1996.
Although Azerbaijan finally broke their scoring drought, the 3-1 result underscores the vast gap in quality between the two nations. It serves as another chapter in a rivalry that has been overwhelmingly controlled by Les Bleus.
Conclusion: A Confident End to a Strong Campaign
In conclusion, France ended their World Cup qualification journey on a high note. They successfully navigated an early challenge from a spirited Azerbaijan side to claim a convincing 3-1 win. The match highlighted not only their resilience but also the remarkable depth of talent at their disposal. As Didier Deschamps and his team turn their focus to the 2026 World Cup, this performance offers yet another reason why Les Bleus will be a formidable force in North America.
