France closed out their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 comeback victory over Azerbaijan, a result that capped off their run at the top of Group D, having already secured first place.

There was a brief delay before kick-off, but the visitors wasted no time shocking the hosts. Just four minutes into the match, Ceyhun Nuriyev spun away from Khephren Thuram and slipped a pass into the box for Rahman Dashdamirov, who squared the ball to Ranat Dadashov. The forward beat debutant goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier with a clinical first-time finish, marking Azerbaijan’s first-ever goal against France.

After Khayal Aliyev fired narrowly wide, Didier Deschamps’ heavily rotated side began settling into the contest, with Christopher Nkunku threatening an equaliser. The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute, when Jean-Philippe Mateta rose to head in a pinpoint cross from Malo Gusto, drawing France level.

Seven minutes later, France thought they had taken the lead, but Gusto’s strike was disallowed after VAR determined the ball deflected off Nkunku’s arm. Nkunku then headed another opportunity wide, but France eventually went in front after 30 minutes. Gusto was again involved, cutting the ball back for Maghnes Akliouche, who guided home his first international goal.

Thuram believed he had scored before the interval, only for the effort to be ruled out due to a handball by Hugo Ekitike in the build-up. France did extend their advantage early in the second half, when a low delivery glanced off Thuram and was diverted into his own net by goalkeeper Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev, who appeared to suffer an injury and was replaced by Aydın Bayramov.

France remained in control, though they were wasteful in front of goal. Nkunku saw a shot blocked by Abdulakh Khaybulayev, Mateta slid another effort wide from a Theo Hernández pass, and Warren Zaïre-Emery had a strike deflected behind.

Bayramov was finally tested in the 73rd minute, reacting well to keep out a flicked effort from Thuram after a low free-kick from Rayan Cherki. With the contest already drifting, France comfortably saw out the final stages, collecting their fifth win in six qualifiers, while giving valuable minutes to several players pushing for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, finish bottom of Group D with just one point.