Azerbaijan 1-3 France result - Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maghnes Akliouche on scoresheet as Les Bleus come from behind for win

France ended their World Cup qualification campaign with a flourish, coming from behind to beat Azerbaijan 3-1 in Baku.

Renat Dadashov gave the hosts a shock early lead, tapping home Rahman Dashdamirov's cross past debutant Lucas Chevalier.

However, Les Bleus quickly seized control as Jean-Philippe Mateta rose highest to head home Malo Gusto's cross to equalise.

Gusto thought he had given his side the lead with a deflected shot, but replays showed the effort had clipped Christopher Nkunku's arm and was rightly ruled out.

However, he got his second assist of the night, sliding the ball across the area to Maghnes Akliouche, who tapped in for his first international goal.

Khephren Thuram twice though he had his first international goal too, but his first attempt was ruled out after Hugo Ekitike handled the ball in the build-up, and the second was ultimately ruled as an own goal from goalkeeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliev.

With the match all but won, the second half provided a chance for France's much-changed team to impress Didier Deschamps ahead of the World Cup, but few made their mark as the match petered out tamely.

France now turn their attention to next summer's tournament, with the draw taking place on December 5 in Washington DC.

Cherki wins a free-kick on the edge of the box. Thauvin, Cherki and Theo have a mini-conference over the ball as two minutes are added on.

And they take it short. Honestly, what was the point of that?

Ukraine are 2-0 up against Iceland by the way, so they are set to make the play-offs.

And there is the full-time whistle. France recovered well after going behind early to lead 3-1 at half-time. The less said about the second half the better.

Woah! Azerbaijan nearly get in behind, but Lucas Hernandez gets to the ball over the top first.

Khayal Aliyev is now coming off, to be replaced by Mustafa Ahmadzada.

There was a big opportunity for several players to give Deschamps a selection headache ahead of the World Cup. Apart from Thuram and maybe Gusto, I'm not sure anyone else has really made the most of the opportunity.

France are just passing it round the back. I know this is a dead-rubber, but this is probably the worst half of football I have ever seen.

Khayal Aliyev makes a run into the final third but has absolutely no help with him and is quickly dispossessed.

Thauvin's cross is caught.

At the moment, the light show in the stands is more entertaining than the on-pitch action. Cherki's corner is punched clear.

Khayal Aliyev nearly gets away from Gusto, but the ball goes out of play.

Mateta is now subbed off and gets a hug from Deschamps. PSG's Bradley Barcola comes on.

Abdulakh Khaybulaev barges into Thuram, and gets a yellow card for his troubles. Thuram is then alert to turn the free-kick goalwards, but Byramov scrambles the ball away.

Abbas Huseynov is on for Azerbaijan now as an illuminated Mexican Wave goes round the stadium. Goalscorer Dadasov makes way.

Azerbaijan are looking better actually. France can't create clear-cut chances at the moment. Cherki wins a corner with his long-distance shot.

Gusto tries to find Thauvin with a cross but it sails over everyone for a goal kick.

Theo Hernandez then does well to skip over a challenge but his cross is easily blocked. Theo then rolls it back to Ekitike who completely misses the ball, which hits his standing leg instead.

Thauvin and Cherki immediately link up but the latter is dispossessed inside the Azerbaijan penalty area.

Akhundzade threatens to counter but his one-two with Makhmudov doesn't come off.

The captain Makhmudov's day is done too. He is replaced by Sabuhi Abdullazada.

L'Équipe didn't put Gusto in their predicted squad for the World Cup. Nor is Florian Thauvin, who is about to come on.

Mateta tries to turn a Theo Hernandez cross goalwards but puts it wide.

And here come the French changes. Nkunku and Akliouche make way for Thauvin and Man City's Rayan Cherki.

Cherki has been fantastic since moving to the Premier League. Certainly one to watch today.

Just in case you were wondering, the draw for the World Cup takes place on December 5th. This half has had the feel of a training match so far.

Akliouche has been lively today on his first start in a French shirt. I would be surprised if he starts ahead of Ousmane Dembélé in North America though.

Nkunku beats several players but is tackled just before he can get a shot away. France have had 83% possession so far this half.

The ex-Chelsea forward now gets some space on the edge of the box but blasts over.

A third chance for Nkunku now. He plays a one-two with Ekitike but scuffs his shot.

France are immediately on the front foot this half. Nkunku wins a corner.

Azerbaijan head it clear comfortably though, but Gusto skips forward as well and his cross needs to be put out for another corner.

Thuram is desperate to get his first international goal, having been denied twice already this match, but puts his shot into Row Z.

The players are back out for the second half. Forty-five minutes for this much-changed French side to stake their claims for a starting spot.

Or, can Azerbaijan conjure up a comeback of the ages?

Azerbaijan have subbed off their goalkeeper. Aydin Bayramov is on, as is Nariman Akhundzade.

The half gets off to a false start after a pitch invader.

Let's start with England, who are struggling to break down a stubborn Albania in their final qualifying match. You can follow our blog for that match here.

In the other crucial Group D match, it is also goalless between Ukraine and Iceland. As things stand, Ukraine will progress to the play-offs with that result.

The pick of the moments in the early kick-offs has to be Troy Parrot's 96th minute winner to complete his hat-trick and send Republic of Ireland through to the play-offs.

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Three minutes of added time, but probably more thanks to that VAR check.

Apparently not. The whistle goes and that will be the half.

Azerbaijan were in dream land thanks to an early goal, but France responded with finishes from Mateta and Akliouche as well as an own goal to go into the break with a comfortable lead.

Ekitike has struggled to make a mark so far tonight, but still has time to rectify that. Azerbaijan boss Aykhan Abbasov is barking instructions to his side, comfortably outside his technical area.

And now Thuram gets his first international goal. Mahammadaliev fails to punch the corner clear and Thuram slams home.

They check for handball again. Konate is not happy. But this time it stands.

The goal is classified as an own goal for now, as it looks like Mahammadaliev got the final touch in the melee.

Now Thuram gets his first international goal but it will be checked. Akliouche's cross sails over everyone before Gusto sticks the ball back in.

After a bit of a scramble, Thuram taps home, but again, there is a check for handball. The ball struck Ekitike's arm in the build-up so, once again, the goal won't stand.

That was fun while it lasted, but France should control this match from here. Should.

Gusto has two assists so far this match and could have had a goal if it wasn't for the Nkunku handball. However, his defending has left a bit to be desired.

More sustained French possession in the Azerbaijan half, but Gusto gives it away, before tracking back well to halt Khayal Aliyev.

Concern for goalkeeper Mahammadaliev, who is down.

This one will stand. It is a great diagonal ball forward from Thuram to Gusto into the box. The full-back slides it across the face of goal and Maghnes Akliouche taps home with the goal gaping.

Special moment for the Monaco winger. It is his first international goal.