Arsenal defender William Saliba started for France in their World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.
Les Bleus were the absolute favourites to win the game on Friday night, and they did not disappoint in front of their home fans at Parc des Princes.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, and goals from Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thauvin sealed the game.
Saliba helped his team keep a clean sheet at the back.
William Saliba had a comfortable evening against Azerbaijan.
France absolutely dominated the visitors from the first minute until the last. They had 77 per cent possession of the ball and had 33 shots at goal compared to Azerbaijan’s one.
The attackers did a lot of work, but those at the back, like Saliba, were spectators for large parts of the game.
The Arsenal star was given a 5/10 rating by three media outlets – Foot Mercato, 90min and GFFN – not because he had a bad game, but because he had nothing to do.
Foot Mercato wrote: “On his return in the blue jersey, the Arsenal central defender had almost nothing to do.
Defensively, his duels were controlled, and he made four clearances on the opponent’s meagre actions. We also saw him being clean in his raises.”
The French version of 90min added: “Less prominent than Upamecano, no more in demand. The Arsenal defender was making his return to France after missing the September training camp, and it was a very quiet evening for him.
“An avoidable foul in the 15th minute in midfield, but nothing else to his credit. He’s regained his rhythm and reflexes in the French national team.”
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty ImagesFrance manager Didier Deschamps has changed his mind on William Saliba
Saliba was not always a guaranteed starter in the French national team.
The Arsenal star was behind Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano in the pecking order in the past, even when he was performing brilliantly for the Gunners.
France boss Didier Deschamps even publicly claimed that he was reluctant to start Saliba in the summer of 2024.
That has completely changed now, as Saliba has consistently been preferred to Konate in the French side.
If the 24-year-old is fit, he starts, and we expect that to remain the case in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.