Ivory Coast delivered a confident statement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coming from behind to beat France 2-1 in a friendly played in Nantes on Thursday. The result, which ended France's nine-match unbeaten streak, saw the Elephants claim their first-ever victory over Les Bleus, powered by a second-half comeback that exposed defensive vulnerabilities in the French side.
France had looked comfortable in the first half, with captain Kylian Mbappé creating several dangerous moments before being substituted at the break. It was Rayan Cherki, the 22-year-old Manchester City forward, who finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, gathering a loose ball on the right side of the penalty area, skipping past a defender with a clever drag-back, and firing into the far corner. The goal capped an assured individual display that strengthened his case for a starting role in France's opening World Cup game against Senegal on June 16 in New York.
The second half told a different story. Ivory Coast defender Guela Doué — elder brother of France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué, who watched from the French bench — levelled in the 53rd minute after being played through by former Arsenal and Nice winger Nicolas Pépé. Doué then turned provider, delivering the cross that Manchester United winger Amad Diallo converted to seal the win in the 83rd minute. France coach Didier Deschamps had made 10 substitutions after the break, and his reshuffled side struggled to contain Ivory Coast's pace and intensity in transition.
Deschamps acknowledged that his team had lost control after an encouraging opening period, while stressing the result must be kept in perspective. "A defeat is never pleasant," he said, "but it's a reminder, if we needed one, not to think we're better than we are." Midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni echoed that measured response: "There is no conclusion to draw from this game. We will be ready." France had rested several Paris Saint-Germain players who featured in last weekend's Champions League final, and face Northern Ireland in a final warm-up in Lille on Monday before departing for the United States.
For Ivory Coast, managed by Emerse Faé, the victory carries real psychological weight. The Elephants — whose passionate diaspora in Nantes lent the Stade de la Beaujoire an orange-tinged atmosphere — open their World Cup campaign against Ecuador on June 15, before facing Germany on June 20 in Toronto. The win gives a team that needed confidence a timely boost, while serving as a genuine caution to France, one of the tournament favourites, that complacency carries a cost.