First France call-up for Palace striker Mateta

France handed Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta his first call-up to the squad on Thursday for this month's World Cup qualifiers against visitors Azerbaijan and away to Iceland. He has been rewarded for his fine club form, scoring four times in all competitions this season for unbeaten Palace, who defeated Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday to go third in the standings after winning the FA Cup last term. The 28-year-old has previously been a regular in France's youth teams and featured at the Olympic Games on home soil last year, winning a silver medal. France coach Didier Deschamps has turned to Mateta with several regular forwards, including Randal Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele,...