With the Bayern duo Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano in the starting line-up, France’s national football team celebrated an arduous victory against outsiders Azerbaijan and remains clearly on course for the World Cup with three wins from three qualifying games.
In the Parc des Princes in Paris, the two-time world champion prevailed 3-0 (1-0) after some initial difficulties.
Real star Kylian Mbappé (45th + 2) only took the lead in stoppage time in the first half. Adrien Rabiot (69th) and Florian Thauvin (84th), who had just substituted for the injured Mbappé (84th), increased.
Olise was one of the better French players before he was substituted in the 71st minute. Upamecano played through.
With nine points, France leads Group D ahead of Ukraine (4), who won 5-3 (3-1) in Iceland (3) in a wild game. Azerbaijan (1) is at the bottom.