Florian Thauvin came on as a second substitute to score for the first time in six years as France defeated Azerbaijan 3-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Softfootball reports.
10-man France beat Iceland 2-1 last month as their attempt to secure a World Cup spot and consolidated on that win with a comprehensive win on Friday night. Real Madrid superstar, Kylian Mbappรฉ opened scoring Adrien Rabiot got the second before Thauvin wrapped it up for a comfortable 3-0 win.
France celebrated the win on their official X handle.
๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ โ
โ
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Weโre still flawless in these 2026 World Cup qualifiers ๐ช
Next stop: Iceland on Monday ๐ฎ๐ธ#FiersdetreBleues #FRAAZE pic.twitter.com/Jx3EvKQCM1
— French Team โญโญ (@FrenchTeam) October 10, 2025France welcomed minnows, Azerbaijan to Parc Des Princes with a 100% record and the aim was to maintain the record after 90minutes.
France Coach, Didier Deschamps put out a very strong lineup with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike leading the line but the former World Cup champions struggled to break down the visitors until an individual brilliance by Real Madrid superstar Mbappe found the back of the net at the stroke of half-time. The goal was Mbappe’s 53rd for the national team.
In the second half, France continued their dominance and it paid off as Mbappe’s cut back from a corner kick found Adrien Rabiot and he coolly slots home to make it 2-0.
The French official X handle, singled out Florian Thauvin for special praise.
FLOTOOOOOOOOOV ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Over 6 years since his last appearance for Les Bleus, @FlorianThauvin scores with his very first touch ๐
๐ซ๐ท3-0๐ฆ๐ฟ l #FRAAZE l #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/JkpgDgycv3
— French Team โญโญ (@FrenchTeam) October 10, 2025The third goal was celebrated more by the fans as long-time absentee, Florian Thauvin scored with virtually his first touch of game and the crowd erupted in pure joy for a player that has been through a lot.
The win keeps France on top of Group D with nine points while Azerbaijan are bottom with just a point.
