Ivory Coast Edge France 2‑1 in Nantes Warm‑Up
On Thursday, 6 June 2024, Ivory Coast secured a 2‑1 victory over France in an international friendly held at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. The result marked a notable upset, as the French side entered the match as heavy favorites ahead of their upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 campaign.
Match Summary
France opened the scoring in the 45th minute when Rayan Cherki latched onto a loose ball, outpaced two defenders, and finished with a low left‑footed shot past Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. The goal gave Les Bleus a slender lead heading into the break.
The second half saw a swift turnaround. Eight minutes after the restart, Nicolas Pépé slipped a through ball to Guéla Doué on the right flank. Doué cut inside, evaded a challenge, and slid the ball past France’s keeper Mike Maignan to level the score at 1‑1.
With the game entering its final stages, Amad Diallo received a low cross from Doué on the right side six minutes from time. Diallo’s first‑time finish found the bottom corner, sealing a 2‑1 win for the Elephants.
Key Performances
- Guéla Doué (Ivory Coast) – 1 goal, 1 assist; constant threat down the right wing and instrumental in both Ivory Coast goals.
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) – Match‑winning goal; showed composure in the final third.
- Rayan Cherki (France) – Early goal; demonstrated pace and technical ability despite the loss.
- Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast) – Made several crucial saves, denying chances from Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and a second effort from Cherki.
Brotherly Duel on the Bench
The match featured a unique subplot: Guéla Doué’s older brother, Désiré Doué, was named among France’s substitutes. Although he did not see playing time, his presence on the bench highlighted the personal stakes for the Doué family. Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach, acknowledged the situation in his post‑match press conference, stating:
“It’s never easy to face a player you know so well, especially when he’s performing at this level. I’m proud of both boys and the way they represent their nations.”
Reactions and Looking Ahead
Ivory Coast’s head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, praised his team’s resilience:
“We showed character and tactical discipline. Scoring against a side of France’s quality is a testament to the work we’ve put in.”
France’s preparation continues with a warm‑up against Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday, 10 June 2024, before they travel to the United States for their Euro 2024 opener versus Senegal on 16 June 2024 in New Jersey. Ivory Coast will launch their tournament campaign against Ecuador in Philadelphia on 14 June 2024.
Sources
- French Football Federation (FFF) – Match report, 6 June 2024.
- Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) – Official statement, 6 June 2024.
- Reuters – “Ivory Coast beat France 2‑1 in Nantes friendly”, 6 June 2024.
- BBC Sport – “Deschamps acknowledges Doué brothers clash”, 6 June 2024.
