Ivory Coast Completes Shock Comeback To Beat France 2-1 In Nantes

Ivory Coast produced a late surge to beat France 2-1 in a pre-World Cup international friendly, overturning a half-time deficit in Nantes. Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for Les Bleus, yet Guela Doue and Amad Diallo struck after the interval to complete a second-half comeback against Didier Deschamps’ side.

The match also marked the start of Deschamps’ farewell World Cup build-up, adding extra focus to France’s preparations. Despite strong spells from Kylian Mbappe and others, France failed to turn pressure into clear openings, and Ivory Coast punished lapses at key moments to spoil the celebratory atmosphere.

The Stade de la Beaujoire crowd created a party setting, with fans holding cutouts of Deschamps’ face and unveiling a huge banner before kick-off. Supporters saluted the head coach before Deschamps steps down after the World Cup, expecting a routine outing in the first of two warm-up matches before the tournament.

For much of the contest that script appeared to hold. France finished with 15 attempts but lacked a ruthless edge in attack. Cherki strengthened a case for a starting role with a goal before the break, yet France’s defensive structure lost control once Ivory Coast increased attacking intent during the second half.

The key turnaround came after the restart. Eight minutes into the second half, Nicolas Pepe pierced the French backline with a throughball that Ibrahima Konate failed to intercept. Doue collected the pass and finished coolly past Mike Maignan in a one-on-one situation, levelling the score and shifting the momentum.

Ivory Coast’s winner arrived on 84 minutes following a smooth passing move. Amad applied the final touch, guiding a first-time strike into the bottom-left corner, leaving Maignan rooted. Before that, Jean-Philippe Mateta went close for France, while Seko Fofana had a chance at the other end but could not convert.

Earlier, France had dominated the opening stages. Mbappe forced Yahia Fofana into a sharp early save, and Marcus Thuram fired over from a promising position soon after. Adrien Rabiot then curled narrowly wide of the top-right corner from distance as France continued to pin Ivory Coast back inside their own half.

Ivory Coast almost struck first against the run of play near the interval. Simon Adingra broke clear, but Maignan stayed alert and blocked with three minutes remaining before half-time. Moments later, France finally broke through. Cherki saw an initial long-range shot saved, but France recycled possession and the winger weaved through the area before drilling in.

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Underlying numbers reflected France’s lack of cutting edge. Despite registering 15 shots, Deschamps’ team produced only 0.88 expected goals and did not record a single "big" chance. Ivory Coast, by contrast, were highly efficient after the break, scoring from both efforts on target as they increased attacking pressure.

Ivory Coast finished with 1.31 expected goals, with Doue and Amad each finding the net from their only attempts. Their composure in decisive situations contrasted with France’s wastefulness around the penalty area, where promising moves frequently broke down before Maignan’s opposite number, Yahia Fofana, could be seriously tested.

The defeat leaves Deschamps with tactical questions before facing Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday 8 June for France’s final World Cup warm-up. Adjustments in attack and defence appear likely as France look to convert dominance into higher-quality chances and avoid repeats of the clinical punishment delivered by Ivory Coast.