Little Blues in Baku

Qualified for the 2026 World Cup since Thursday and its great success over Ukraine (4-0), the French team had one last deadline to honor this Sunday in its elimination campaign. In Baku, Azerbaijan.

Result, a logical victory signed with a score of 1-3. Not without hiccups since the Blues notably conceded the opener in the 4th minute. For his first start with the A tricolors, Lucas Chevalier, abandoned by his defense, bowed to Renat Dadashov to everyone’s surprise.

Malo Gusto scores points

However, Didier Deschamps’ men, with the strength of a hard-hitting Malo Gusto and a decisive double passer, quickly turned the tide. By Jean-Philippe Mateta (17th) then Maghnes Akliouche (30th). A csc from Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev on a recovery from Khéphren Thuram having sealed the score of this game before the break (45th).

France thus concludes these qualifications with a record of five victories and one draw. Ukraine, victorious over Iceland at the same time, finished second in the group and will have to go through the play-offs to possibly invite themselves across the Atlantic next summer.

Azerbaijan-France, the lines at kick-off

The Azerbaijani eleven: Mahammadaliyev – Badalov, Mustafazada, Krivotsyuk – Q. Aliyev, Khaybulaev, Mahmudov, Dashdamirov – Nuriyev, Dadashov, K. Aliyev.

The French eleven: Chevalier – Gusto, Konaté, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez – Zaire-Emery, K. Thuram – Akliouche, Nkunku – Mateta, Ekitike.