Mbappe Finds the Net as France Overcome Azerbaijan

France took a significant step towards securing their spot in next year's World Cup with a 3-0 triumph over Azerbaijan in Group D at Paris's Parc des Princes on Friday. Kylian Mbappe, Adrien Rabiot, and Florian Thauvin all found the back of the net in a commanding performance.

The victory maintains their unbeaten record in the group, accumulating nine points from three matches and extending their lead to five points over Ukraine, who narrowly defeated Iceland 5-3.

Didier Deschamps' team will secure their qualification for the finals in the Americas should they win their upcoming match in Iceland on Monday while Ukraine fail to overcome Azerbaijan.

Hugo Ekitike, the Liverpool forward, started for the first time, adding offensive depth to the French lineup. Despite this, the first half remained largely uneventful until Mbappe broke the deadlock moments before the interval.

The French captain gathered possession near the edge of the area, evaded a challenge, and unleashed a low shot that squeezed past a defender, narrowly beating goalkeeper Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev.

This marks the tenth consecutive match across club and international competitions where Mbappe has scored.

Four minutes after the restart, Ekitike came close to doubling the advantage with a powerful strike from the right side of the box, but the ball rebounded off the far post.

France continued to dominate proceedings, with Mbappe twice threatening the goal, one effort sailing just wide and another rising over the crossbar.

At the 68-minute mark, Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev made a crucial fingertip save to push Khephren Thuram's powerful drive over the bar, with Thuram also making his debut start for France.

The ensuing corner was played to the far side of the box, where Mbappe deftly flicked it back for Rabiot to head home into the corner.

With six minutes left, Thauvin, who had substituted Mbappe moments earlier, received the ball in the penalty area. He swiftly turned and fired a volley beyond Magomedaliyev, sealing France's comfortable victory.