Overview

• France moved to nine points atop Group D after goals from Kylian Mbappé, Adrien Rabiot and returning substitute Florian Thauvin at the Parc des Princes.
• Ukraine’s 5-3 victory in Iceland kept France five points clear and set up a scenario where Les Bleus can clinch with a win in Iceland if Ukraine drop points against Azerbaijan.
• Mbappé opened the scoring with a solo run and later assisted Rabiot before leaving late while limping, raising a fresh ankle concern ahead of Monday’s match.
• Didier Deschamps reshaped his attack due to multiple absences, handing Hugo Ekitike his first start and deploying a 4-4-2 with Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman on the flanks.
• Thauvin scored within minutes of coming on for his first France appearance since 2019, capping a comfortable night against the 124th-ranked Azerbaijan.