France rounded off their successful World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan in Baku.
Les Bleus fell behind to an early Renat Dadashov strike but Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maghnes Akliouche were on target before an own goal made it a comfortable victory.
The French, runners-up in 2022, had already booked their spot at next year’s finals by beating Ukraine 4-0 on Thursday.
Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice that night to take his career tally to 400 goals, was missing from the squad due to an ankle problem, so Crystal Palace striker Mateta got a chance from the start.
Azerbaijan took a shock lead after only four minutes when Rahman Dasdamirov got in behind Malo Gusto down the left.
Dasdamirov drilled in a low cross and Dadashov got in front of Lucas Hernández to sweep the ball home.
France dragged themselves level in the 17th minute when Mateta headed in a cross from Gusto for his second international goal in two starts.
They thought they had taken the lead moments later when Gusto’s drive from the edge of the box was deflected in by Christopher Nkunku, but a VAR check ruled that the ball hit his arm.
Instead France went ahead when Gusto ghosted in at the far post and swept the ball back across goal for Akliouche to tuck away.
They had the ball in the net again when Khephren Thuram blasted home from close range, but this one was ruled out due to handball by Hugo Ekitike.
But the third goal did arrive before half-time when Thuram met a corner with his knee and Azerbaijan keeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev helped the ball into his own net.
Mateta should have scored again when he met a cross from Theo Hernández but he steered the ball wide.
Thuram saw a fierce drive saved by substitute keeper Aydin Bayramov and Nkunku’s shot was blocked as France had to settle for three.
Didier Deschamps’ side finished top of Group D with 16 points while Azerbaijan stayed rooted to the bottom with one point.
