Hugo Ekitike received a low rating from French media as he struggled to replicate his excellent Liverpool form on the international stage. Ekitike has hit the ground running since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, with his silly sending off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup after removing his shirt in celebration being the only blot in his copybook.

That form led to him being handed his first senior caps by France boss Didier Deschamps last month. After substitute appearances against Ukraine and Iceland, Ekitike was thrown into the starting line-up for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, partnering Kylian Mbappe in a front two.

Mbappe scored for the 10th successive match and for the 13th time in 14 appearances this season as France won 3-0. The Real Madrid striker’s 53rd international goal – after a brilliant mazy dribble – put him within four of Olivier Giroud’s national team record of 57.

Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thauvin found the net after the...