VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM FRANCE HEAD COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, AFTER 3-1 WIN AWAY TO AZERBAIJAN IN WORLD CUP QUALIFYING/ FANS ARRIVING AND LEAVING BAKU OLYMPIC STADIUM RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (NOVEMBER 16, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. FANS ARRIVING AT BAKU OLYMPIC STADIUM 2. STADIUM EXTERIOR 3. YOUNG FAN WAVING AZERBAIJAN FLAG 4. VARIOUS OF FAN BANGING DRUM 5. FANS CHANTING 6. VARIOUS OF FANS WITH AZERBAIJAN FLAGS 7. POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE WITH FRANCE HEAD COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS 8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE HEAD COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, ON ROTATING HIS TEAM, SAYING: "Yes, we were still able to create chances and score goals. We average a little over two goals per match which is very good. JP (Jean-Philippe) Mateta was making only his second ever start and he scored a lovely header. So that's great for us and for him. Hugo Ekitike is gaining confidence too. He's a young player with lots of dynamism and he was able to express himself with his stamina to get around the pitch as well as his ability to penetrate with his speed. So they're another two pieces to consider on the offensive side of the ball going forward." 9. PRESS CONFERENCE ONGOING 10. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE HEAD COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, SAYING: "I didn't expect the match to start like that, especially since we had a difficult start to Thursday’s match, a difficult first half. I was expecting a lot of enthusiasm, energy, and aggression from this Azerbaijan team with a full stadium behind them. I don't want to say we weren't ready, but they did what they had to do at the start of the match, and it's to their credit that they opened the scoring and took the lead. But after 90 minutes, considering they played three days ago, it was more difficult for them to come out and threaten us. It’s a game of 90 minutes. The start of matches are important and we certainly weren’t good enough. And this Azerbaijan team also deserve credit for that. Fortunately, we were much better afterwards and were able to turn it around." 11. PRESS CONFERENCE ONGOING 12. DESCHAMPS LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE 13. VARIOUS OF FANS LEAVING STADIUM STORY: A second-string French side overcome a nervous start to beat Azerbaijan 3-1 away on Sunday (November 16) and wrap up their World Cup campaign after having already qualified. Coach Didier Deschamps rotated his entire line-up after Les Bleus sealed their spot against Ukraine on Thursday. France top Europe’s Group D with 16 points from six games after goals by Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maghnes Akliouche plus an own goal from Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev helped them recover from Renat Dadashov’s opener. The players who came in lacked cohesion at times but showed no shortage of motivation, with several squad places still up for grabs for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The win ensured France head into the next phase with momentum and they will be seeded for the December 5 World Cup draw. France were stunned in the fourth minute when Dadashov latched onto a cross from Rahman Dashdamirov, who had caught Malo Gusto off guard on the left flank. Gusto made up for his error in the 17th minute with a pinpoint cross for Mateta, who headed home to equalise. Akliouche fired home from six yards after another assist by Gusto. Four minutes after having a goal ruled out, Thuram thought he had made it 3-1 on the stroke of halftime but it was goalkeeper Magomedaliyev who deflected the ball into his own goal. France had several chances in the second half but Azerbaijan defended solidly. (Production: Conal Quinn)
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