BAKU, Azerbaijan (Interstat) — France opened its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan on Sunday at Tofiq Bəhramov Stadium. The visitors controlled the match after an early equalizer, with two second-half goals securing the win.

Azerbaijan’s Renat Dadaşov opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but France’s Jean-Philippe Mateta leveled in the 17th. Substitute Maghnes Akliouche put France ahead in the 30th minute. Azerbaijan goalkeeper Şahruddin Məhəmmədəliyev scored a rare goal just before halftime, but it was not enough for the hosts. France improved to 1-0-0 in the competition.