Paris: France moved three points closer to qualification for next year’s World Cup with Kylian Mbappé, Adrien Rabiot, and Florian Thauvin all on target in a comfortable 3-0 Group D win over Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes. Mbappé is set to miss their next qualifier against Iceland after taking a knock to his ankle.

According to France24.com, the 26-year-old striker played a pivotal role in the match, opening the scoring just before halftime and assisting Adrien Rabiot for the second goal. Substitute Florian Thauvin added a third goal, putting Les Bleus on nine points from three games. This victory gives Didier Deschamps’ side a chance to secure qualification on Monday when they face Iceland.

France was without several key players, including Paris Saint-Germain forwards Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola, all sidelined due to injury. However, former PSG players Mbappé and Rabiot successfully led the team despite a slow start.

Mbappé had the first chance of the match within seconds, followed by a powerful strike from Malo Gusto. Hugo Ekitike also tested Azerbaijan’s goalkeeper Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev, but France struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. On the stroke of halftime, Mbappé broke through Azerbaijan’s defense, scoring a low shot to put France ahead.

In the second half, Ekitike nearly scored, his shot bouncing off the far post. Rabiot solidified the win in the 69th minute, heading home from an Mbappé cross. Thauvin, who replaced Mbappé in the 83rd minute after the captain suffered an ankle injury, scored with a subtle volley moments after coming on.

Deschamps praised Mbappé’s performance, saying, “Kylian is in great shape – he’s the leader, the captain, and he was already in this kind of form back in September.” He added that Mbappé chose to leave the game due to the intensity of his ankle pain.