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National teams 17 November 2025, 17:45

A first start and first goal for Maghnes Akliouche with Les Bleus!

A first start and first goal for Maghnes Akliouche with Les Bleus!
Having been named in the starting lineup for the French national team by Didier Deschamps, the Monaco attacking midfielder opened his account for the national team, while Folarin Balogun once again distinguished himself with the USA.

He seized his chance to make a lasting impression! Called up for the third consecutive time to the French national team squad during the November international break, Maghnes Akliouche didn’t miss the opportunity to make his mark in his first start for France. Included in the starting eleven selected by Didier Deschamps on Sunday evening to face Azerbaijan in Baku, the Monaco playmaker seized his opportunity.

Photo: Icon Sport

A first start for France

While the French national team players had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup thanks to their victory against Ukraine three days earlier (4-1), a rotated team then defeated the Eastern European side (3-1). And the newly capped French international played a key role, being involved in all three goals scored by Les Bleus.

A first goal at just the right time!

Although France quickly fell behind on the scoreboard in this match (1-0, 4′), it was indeed Maghnes who played in Malo Gusto at the end of the first quarter of an hour, who then delivered a cross onto the head of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who equalized (1-1, 17′). But the performance of our Academy-trained gem didn’t stop there, as half an hour into the game, he himself was on the receiving end of another cross from the former Lyon player (1-2, 30′)!

Involved in all three goals!

Akliouche thus scored his first goal for the senior national team, opening his account for Les Bleus after just 131 minutes of play! And it would be a double first for him, the 73rd player from AS Monaco to play for France, before a thrilling end to the first half. After a disallowed goal which he provided the cross for (43′), “Magic” Maghnes was on hand to deliver a corner from which the French doubled their lead (1-3, 45′)!

Balogun is decisive again!

Having delivered a complete and convincing performance, the French number 12 was substituted in the 62nd minute, with a sense of a job well done, seven months before the 2026 World Cup. It will be a feeling certainly shared by his club teammate, Folarin Balogun, who also scored for the United States in a friendly match on Saturday, giving his team the victory against Paraguay (2-1).

Photo: Icon Sport

Available to play as a target man and then to receive a one-two in the box, the Monaco striker showed his opportunism to secure a victory for Team USA, who are currently preparing for a World Cup to be held on home soil. This was Balo’s third goal in the last three sets of international matches, and already his eighth in 22 caps. Daghe les gars! 🇲🇨

*Crédits photos : Icon Sport 

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