TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - France had to swallow a surprising 2-1 defeat while hosting Ivory Coast in a friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Thursday local time.
Les Bleus initially took the lead through Rayan Cherki's beautiful goal just before halftime. But the visiting Ivory Coast rallied in the second half and turned the game around through Guela Doue and Amad Diallo.
This result serves as a valuable assessment for Didier Deschamps' squad before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in ten days.
France dominated from the start and immediately put pressure on the visitors' defense. The first chance came in the 7th minute when Kylian Mbappé broke free on the left side of the penalty box. However, his shot was blocked by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Les Bleus threatened again in the 21st minute through Michael Olise. The winger penetrated from the right flank before unleashing a shot, but the ball was too weak for Fofana to save easily.
The next chance came in the 33rd minute. Ibrahima Konate met Mbappé's corner kick with a header, which went wide.
Amidst the home side's dominance, Ivory Coast nearly stole a goal in the 42nd minute. Simon Adingra won the ball in the French half and fired a low shot.
Fortunately for the home team, Mike Maignan was alert and made the save.
The deadlock was finally broken just before halftime.
In the 45th minute, Rayan Cherki managed to escape a clutch of Ivorian defenders before firing a precise shot into the right corner of the net. The goal gave France a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Ivory Coast rallied after the break. The team nicknamed Les Elehants equalized in the 52nd minute through Guela Doue.
The goal came from a through ball from Nicolas Pepe that freed Doue in the penalty area. The Ivorian right-back calmly beat Maignan to make it 1-1.
France tried to respond and nearly took the lead again in the 62nd minute. Marcus Thuram tried his luck with a long-range shot, but the ball just sailed wide of the goal.
Entering the final minutes of the match, France continued to pound the Ivory Coast defense. However, it was Ivory Coast who scored the winning goal.
In the 83rd minute, Guela Doue was again instrumental, sending a cutback from the right flank. The ball was then met by Amad Diallo, who beat Maignan to give Ivory Coast a 2-1 lead.
Until the final whistle, no further goals were scored. Ivory Coast closed out the match with a valuable victory over one of the 2026 World Cup favorites.
Line up
France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappé; Marcus Thuram
Ivory Coast (4-4-2): Yahia Fofana; Guela Doue, Emmanuel Agbadou, Wilfried Singo, Ghislain Konan; Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana; Yan Diomande, Oumar Diakite, Simon Adingra; Elye Wahi.
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