Ivory Coast stun France in Nantes

France kicked off their World Cup friendlies with a defeat against Ivory Coast (1-2), but for a specific reason, the game was not in focus. The crowd at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes came to see the national team, but also to pay homage to Didier Deschamps. The famous player and manager made a career in Nantes, as well as Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae, and they greeted the France manager and brought out various banners with his image. After all, Deschamps announced his resignation after the World Cup and this was one of his last two home-soil game as France boss. It didn’t end well for his team, as France took a lead only to allow a complete comeback and Elephants win.

Deschamps fielded the strongest squad but it was all about Ryan Cherki, who was the only player ready to do something tonight and it won’t be enough for France when the World Cup starts. Cherki was creative, found solutions and scored the only goal for the home team, while Ivory Coast basically had two chances and scored from both. One of their best players was Desire Doue’s brother Guela, who scored an equalizer and assisted for the winning goal, which was scored by Manchester United’s forgotten man Amad Diallo. This match between France and Ivory Coast was a reunion for two young brothers. Both trained at Stade Rennais and faced each other for the first time in the national team.

The first chance happened within the first 10 minutes and it was Mbappe who tried a shot, but Ivorian keeper Fofana saved it. Adrien Rabiot was the next one to create a chance as he unleashes a rocket from over 25 meters in the 15th minute, but the ball went over the bar. Olise found himself in good position from the right in the 20th minute after an assist from Mbappe, but Fofana was there to save it. The Rizespor keeper made two more saves before capitulating. Cherki delivered a perfect cross to Tchouameni in the 40th minute, but the Ivorian keeper was on spot again. Then it was Cherki’s turn for a shot and Fofana saved it, but when his teammates failed to properly clear the ball out, Cherki came in again and made two excellent dribbles inside the penalty area and took a shot though the ‘sea’ of legs to the opposite corner: 1-0. Ivory Coast’s only chance came just before France scored, when Tchouameni lost the ball in front of his penalty area and Adingra took a shot but Mike Maignan saved it beautifully.

Lucas Digne, Jean-Philippe Mateta, N'Golo Kante, Maghnes Akliouche and Maxence Lacroix all came in for France at the start of the second half but the surprise equalizer came in the 53rd minute already. A pinpoint pass from Pepe (who was introduced at half-time) found Guela Doue in space. Desire Doue’s brother was one-on-one with Maignan and sent him the wrong way: 1-1. After that, the game became pretty boring and without proper opportunities to score, until 84th minute. Amad Diallo pounced to meet a cross from Guela Doue, volleying past Mike Maignan with an unstoppable shot for the surprising win and a huge shot of self-confidence.