There was nothing on the line in France's final outing in 2026 World Cup qualifying after a 4-0 victory over Ukraine sealed its spot at next year's tournament.

Les Bleus named a much-changed team at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium, with Kylian Mbappe among their absentees after he withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury.

Azerbaijan was dreaming of a famous win when Renat Dadashov got across the front post to divert Rahman Dasdamirov's left-wing cross home in the fourth minute.

The host side continued to take the game to France, but the visitors got level in the 17th minute as Mateta met Malo Gusto's dinked cross with a close-range header.

France had two goals disallowed for handball in the build-up during the first half, with  Christopher Nkunku and Khephren Thuram the players to be denied.

However, it still entered half-time with a two-goal cushion as Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche got off the mark in international football with a tap-in, and Azerbaijan goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev sent a miscued punch into his own net under pressure from Thuram.

There was less goalmouth action in the second half as France exerted total control, with Mateta spurning a chance for his first international brace and Thuram also firing over.

France finished top of Group D in the UEFA qualification process with 16 points from six games, six clear of Ukraine, which leapfrogged Iceland with a 2-0 win.