France’s unbeaten streak ends as Ivory Coast secure historic World Cup warm-up victory
Guela Doué’s double performance, including the assist for the winner, overturns an early deficit in a shock 2-1 result that challenges France’s pre-tournament confidence.
France’s nine-match unbeaten streak under manager Didier Deschamps came to an abrupt halt on Thursday, as Ivory Coast secured a historic 2-1 victory in a World Cup warm-up match in Nantes. The result marks the first time the Elephants have ever defeated Les Bleus, delivering a significant shock to the host nation’s preparation for the upcoming tournament.
Rayan Cherki provided the early impetus for France, scoring a sublime opener that suggested the hosts would control the tempo of the encounter. France appeared comfortable during the first half, building a lead that seemed secure as they moved toward their penultimate warm-up fixture.
However, the dynamic shifted shortly after halftime when Guela Doué, a 23-year-old Strasbourg defender, equalised for Ivory Coast. Doué’s performance carried additional narrative weight as he is the older brother of France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué, effectively haunting his sibling’s national team with his contributions.
The momentum remained with the visitors as Doué delivered the cross for Amad Diallo to convert the winning goal. The sequence capitalised on a series of defensive lapses by the French side, who unraveled after the break despite their earlier dominance.
The defeat serves as a stark corrective to France’s recent form, ending a period of stability under Deschamps. The team now turns its attention to their final warm-up match, scheduled to face Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday, as they seek to address the vulnerabilities exposed in Nantes.
