France suffer surprise 1-2 defeat against Ivory Coast

In a final warm-up match before the 2026 World Cup, the France national team fell to a surprise 1-2 defeat against Ivory Coast in Nantes.

The hosts took the lead just before halftime. On 45 minutes, Rayan Cherki received a pass near the edge of the box and fired a precise shot into the far corner to break the deadlock.

After the break, Emerse Fae's side quickly leveled the score. On 53 minutes, Jean-Philippe Pepe provided an incisive pass to Guela Doue, who went one-on-one with Mike Maignan and coolly beat the goalkeeper. As the match approached its conclusion, Ivory Coast secured a historic win. In the 81st minute, following a rapid attack down the right, Doue provided a cross that Amad Diallo finished with a first-time strike.