Background
This would be the 8th match for both teams in the first group of the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying. While Azerbaijan already lost its chance to participate in the tournament, France was still fighting for a ticket. Prior to the game, France's biggest victory was 8–0, twice over Luxembourg (20 April 1913 and 17 December 1953) and against Iceland (2 June 1957). [2] Azerbaijan had suffered its biggest defeat (0–5) in a friendly match against Malta on 19 April 1994. [3]
Azerbaijan did not start a true striker for the match, instead utilising captain Shahin Diniyev in a rudimentary attacking role, while the French XI was almost at their full strength.
Post-match
After the game, France took second place with 14 points, ahead of Poland, while Azerbaijan remained in last with 8 losses. Head coach Aghasalim Mirjavadov resigned immediately after the defeat, citing the inability of the players, the low level of training and the opponents' strength as the reasons for the defeat. [4]
Les Bleus would go on to finish second in their group and qualify for UEFA Euro 1996, where they reached the semi-finals. Nearly the same crop of players, including some notable names like Zinedine Zidane, Youri Djorkaeff and Bixente Lizarazu, would go on to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. [5]
In 2016, pastemagazine.com included the match in its list of Top 10 Biggest National Defeats. [6]
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