Match report

France Secures 3-1 Win Over Azerbaijan in World Cup Qualifiers

Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
1–3
FT
France
France
Nov 16, 2025

France secured a vital 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan in their World Cup Qualifiers match. Azerbaijan took the early lead through a goal by R. Dadaev in the 4th minute, but France responded quickly with a goal from J. Mateta just 13 minutes later. Despite two goal cancellations due to VAR interventions, France managed to gain control of the game with a goal from M. Akliouche. An own goal in the 45th minute sealed France's win, giving them a strong advantage in the qualifiers.

Key Facts

  • • Azerbaijan: R. Dadaev (4')
  • • France: J. Mateta (17'), M. Akliouche (30'), Own Goal by Şahrudin Mahammadaliyev (45')
  • • VAR cancelled two French goals due to offside decisions
  • • Azerbaijan's A. Krivotsyuk and A. Khaybulaev received yellow cards
  • • France made several substitutions, including bringing on F. Thauvin and R. Cherki

Lineups

Azerbaijan

Starting XI

  • 1 S. Mahammadaliyev (G)
  • 14 E. Badalov (D)
  • 4 B. Mustafazada (D)
  • 5 A. Krivotsyuk (D)
  • 21 Q. Aliyev (M)
  • 8 E. Mahmudov
  • 20 A. Khaybulaev (M)
  • 2 R. Dashdamirov (M)
  • 16 C. Nuriyev (F)
  • 9 R. Dadashov (F)
  • 11 K. Aliyev (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 A. Bayramov
  • 23 S. Agayev
  • 3 R. Abbasov
  • 6 S. Abdullazada
  • 7 A. Nuriyev
  • 10 N. Akhundzade
  • 13 A. Huseynov
  • 15 B. Huseynov
  • 17 R. Abdullazada
  • 18 C. Huseynov
  • 19 M. Ahmadzada

France

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 23 L. Chevalier (G)
  • 2 M. Gusto (D)
  • 15 I. Konate (D)
  • 21 L. Hernandez (D)
  • 22 T. Hernandez (D)
  • 18 W. Zaire-Emery (M)
  • 6 K. Thuram (M)
  • 12 M. Akliouche (M)
  • 7 C. Nkunku (M)
  • 9 H. Ekitike (M)
  • 19 J. Mateta (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 B. Samba
  • 16 M. Maignan
  • 3 L. Digne
  • 4 D. Upamecano
  • 5 J. Kounde
  • 8 F. Thauvin
  • 11 M. Olise
  • 13 N. Kante
  • 14 R. Cherki
  • 17 W. Saliba
  • 20 B. Barcola

Timeline

  1. Azerbaijan
    4' Azerbaijan Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Dadaşov · Assist: Rahman Dashdamirov
  2. France
    17' France Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Mateta · Assist: M. Gusto
  3. France
    25' France Var · Goal cancelled
    C. Nkunku
  4. France
    30' France Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Akliouche · Assist: M. Gusto
  5. Azerbaijan
    39' Azerbaijan Card · Yellow Card
    A. Krivotsyuk

    Foul

  6. France
    42' France Var · Goal cancelled
    Khéphren Thuram
  7. France
    45' France Goal · Own Goal
    Şahrudin Mahammadaliyev
  8. Azerbaijan
    46' Azerbaijan subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Şahrudin Mahammadaliyev · On: A. Bayramov
  9. Azerbaijan
    46' Azerbaijan subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Nurıyev · On: Nariman Akhundzade
  10. France
    62' France subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Akliouche · On: F. Thauvin
  11. France
    62' France subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Nkunku · On: R. Cherki
  12. Azerbaijan
    66' Azerbaijan subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Mahmudov · On: S. Abdullazadə
  13. Azerbaijan
    72' Azerbaijan Card · Yellow Card
    A. Khaybulaev

    Argument

  14. Azerbaijan
    75' Azerbaijan subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Dadaşov · On: A. Huseynov
  15. France
    79' France subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Mateta · On: B. Barcola
  16. Azerbaijan
    87' Azerbaijan subst · Substitution 5
    Off: K. Aliyev · On: M. Ahmadzada

Match Stats

Stat Azerbaijan France
Fouls 10 12
Pass Accuracy 67% 90%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 2 17
Corners 1 8
Total Passes 221 610
Yellow Cards 2 0
Blocked Shots 0 8
Shots on Target 1 4
xG 0.42 2.04
Shots off Target 1 5
Possession 26% 74%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 148 549
Shots Inside Box 2 12
Saves 2 0
Shots Outside Box 0 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ France's quick response to Azerbaijan's early goal with J. Mateta's goal in the 17th minute shifted the momentum of the game
  • ▸ An own goal by Şahrudin Mahammadaliyev in the 45th minute sealed France's dominance in the match