France had to shake off an unexpected early setback but eventually wrapped up their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a steady 3-1 win over Azerbaijan, even though they'd already secured top spot in Group D before kick-off after they defeated Ukraine 4-nil in their last World Cup qualification fixture . It wasn't exactly the start Didier Deschamps had in mind.
Softfootball expected France to enjoy a very easy evening and even predicted a 3-nil victory in the pre-game report , but Azerbaijan wasted absolutely no time making history. Just four minutes in, Ceyhun Nuriyev spun away from Khephren Thuram and slipped in Rahman Dashdamirov, who squared the ball neatly for Ranat Dadashov.
The forward beat debutant goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier with a clinical first-time hit, giving Azerbaijan their first-ever goal against France. Khayal Aliyev almost made it worse when he drilled a shot wide, but France slowly started to wake up, with Christopher Nkunku threatening a couple of times.