Image Credits: Imago Images
France had already booked their place at the World Cup, but the final qualifier was still important.
These games help managers test depth and reward players who have grown over the season.
They also show who can carry responsibility when the regular stars are rested.
For Liverpool fans, this window was particularly interesting because Ibrahima Konate was already in the spotlight before a ball was kicked.
All week, there had been signs that Didier Deschamps was planning big changes.
The France boss hinted at a near-total reshuffle, and there was talk of a leadership shift.
It created a quiet build-up around the Liverpool defender.
Everyone expected rotation, but not everyone expected the level of trust Deschamps was ready to place in him.
Before the match, Deschamps made it official.
He confirmed that “Konate will be the captain against Azerbaijan.”
He also explained that “the starting eleven could be entirely reshuffled after the qualification for the World Cup.”
That set the tone for the night.
A heavily changed France side walked out in Baku with Konate leading the team for the first time.
The match itself did not start as planned.
Azerbaijan shocked the visitors in the fourth minute when Renat Dadashov scored from close range after poor marking.
For a while, it looked messy.
But Jean-Philippe Mateta headed in Malo Gusto’s cross to settle France.
Gusto then thought he had scored the second before VAR ruled it out for a handball by Christopher Nkunku.
France kept pushing and got their reward when Maghnes Akliouche tucked in Gusto’s cutback after a fine pass from Khephren Thuram.
Another goal from Thuram was ruled out for an earlier handball, but France finally stretched the lead when goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev pushed Thuram’s effort into his own net.
Azerbaijan faded in the second half, and only substitute keeper Aydin Bayramov prevented a heavier scoreline.
From a Liverpool point of view, the night matters beyond the result.
Konate captaining France shows his growing stature.
It is a clear sign that he is stepping into a new leadership tier for both club and country.
« Konaté sera le capitaine face à l’Azerbaïdjan. »
Le sélectionneur Didier Deschamps a indiqué que le défenseur de Liverpool portera le brassard et que le onze de départ pourrait être entièrement remanié après la qualification pour le Mondial.@SaberDesfa pic.twitter.com/NpMtITB0tF
— Téléfoot (@telefoot_TF1) November 16, 2025
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