Less than two weeks before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the French team received a serious warning by losing to Ivory Coast (1-2) in their first preparation match played at La Beaujoire, in Nantes.
In front of a packed stadium, Didier Deschamps' men gave the impression of controlling the game for a long time before succumbing to the determination and efficiency of the Ivorian Elephants.
France made a perfect start to the match. Dominating possession, they deservedly opened the scoring thanks to Rayan Cherki. The young attacking midfielder lit up the first half with a moment of brilliance, finishing off a well-constructed team move to give France the lead.
Led by a very active Kylian Mbappé, the French seemed poised to control the game until halftime. But the complexion of the match changed immediately after the break. More aggressive in the duels and quicker in the transitions, Ivory Coast gradually gained confidence. In the 53rd minute, Guéla Doué, defender for RC Strasbourg and older brother of Désiré Doué, capitalized on a defensive lapse by the French to level the score.
This goal completely revitalized the match and unsettled a French team reshuffled by the numerous changes made by Didier Deschamps. The Elephants continued to press forward and were rewarded a second time in the 84th minute.
A further breakthrough by Guéla Doué down the flank resulted in a precise cross which Amad Diallo headed home, giving the Ivorians a lead they would hold onto until the final whistle. This historic victory marks Ivory Coast's first win against France in four encounters.
Having been unbeaten so far against the Elephants, the Blues thus see their run of nine matches without defeat come to an end at the worst possible time, even if the main objective remains to be ready for the start of the World Cup.
For Didier Deschamps, this defeat nevertheless offers valuable lessons. While there were positives, particularly regarding Rayan Cherki's performance, the defensive difficulties observed after the break and the lack of cohesion among the substitutes will need to be addressed quickly.
The French will have one last preparation match before their departure for the World Cup, while Ivory Coast will be able to build on this prestigious victory to approach the competition with confidence.
Final score: France 1-2 Ivory Coast
Goal scorers: France: Rayan Cherki. Ivory Coast: Guéla Doué, Amad Diallo.
