In its final warm-up match before the World Cup, Ivory Coast pulled off a surprise victory in France. Germany’s group opponent turned the match around in Nantes.
While other nations are already in North America, the Equipe Tricolore will not cross the Atlantic until shortly before the tournament begins. In the first of two final warm-up matches, Didier Deschamps’ team faced the Ivory Coast. Alongside captain Mbappé, Bayern Munich pros Upamecano and Olise also started the match. The Champions League finalists led by Dembélé initially took their seats on the bench.
For the visitors from West Africa, who will face Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao in World Cup Group E, coach Emerse Faé started Leipzig’s Diomande, among others. For the Ivory Coast, it was the dress rehearsal ahead of their opening match against Ecuador.
France had the better chances in the first half
The French quickly asserted their status as favorites, even though the Ivorians played boldly forward in the opening minutes. Mbappé had the first shot on goal, forcing Yahia Fofana’s first save after a pass from Olise (7th minute).
At times, the hosts were a bit too cumbersome in their play, but as the game progressed, they found their way in front of the opponent’s goal more and more often—though without success. Olise’s finish lacked precision (21’), Cherki’s deflected attempt whizzed just past the outside post (32’), and Tchouameni’s header was saved by the Ivorian keeper (40).
Cherki powers through – Many substitutions at halftime
The fact that the score was ultimately 1-0 for France at halftime was due in part to the assertive Cherki, but also to Maignan, who had previously made a save against Adingra (42′). Three minutes later, Cherki finally powered through and slotted the ball into the far corner with his right foot.
With the first half having ended successfully from France’s perspective, Deschamps made a five-player substitution, taking Upamecano, Olise, and Mbappé off the field. The visitors made two substitutions, bringing on two fresh attacking players in the form of Pepé and Amad.
Substitute Pepé sets up the equalizer
Pepé, in particular, quickly found his rhythm, setting up the equalizer just minutes after coming on. The 31-year-old played a perfect through ball at the right moment to Guela Doué—brother of France’s Desiré Doué (who spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench)—who kept his cool and beat Maignan to make it 1-1 (53rd minute).
Visibly surprised by the goal, the Equipe Tricolore increasingly lost control and, with the exception of Thuram (62′), rarely threatened offensively for the time being. The Ivory Coast, on the other hand, was buoyed by the equalizer before also making a five-player substitution in the 67th minute.
Ivory Coast turns the game around
However, the Ivorians’ flow of play was only briefly disrupted, as the visitors actually turned the game around in the closing stages. This time, Guela Doué shone as the provider for Amad, whose first-time finish led to the West Africans’ much-celebrated 2-1 victory.
While Ivory Coast will not play another match before the World Cup kicks off in the DFB group on June 15 at 1 a.m. German time against Ecuador, the Equipe Tricolore still has one friendly left to play: On Monday at 9:10 p.m., the French will host Northern Ireland in Lille. Only then will the co-favorite travel to North America.