International friendly, 04/06/26
France got the final part of their World Cup preparations underway by hosting Ivory Coast in Nantes. Didier Deschamps, who was serenaded for his return to his former La Beaujoire ground, opted to give PSG’s Champions League winners at his disposal a breather.
With Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé all benched, Rayan Cherki was handed the playmaker role, between left-winger Marcus Thuram and Michael Olise on the other side. Les Bleus captain Kylian Mbappé leads the line.
France dominated possession, but they were far from clinical in the final third. Kylian Mbappé and Rayan Cherki missed big chances in the first half, whereas Ivory Coast’s best chances stemmed from Les Bleus’ unforced errors. Mike Maignan proved alert to save Aurélien Tchouaméni’s blushes after the Real Madrid midfielder was too easily dispossessed by Simon Adingra.
Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana was called into action more often than not, but there was nothing he could do to prevent Cherki from opening the scoring. The Manchester City playmaker recovered the ball from Ibrahima Konaté, breezed past Seko Fofana and Yan Diomandé before finding the bottom right corner.
France got the final part of their World Cup preparations underway by hosting Ivory Coast in Nantes. Didier Deschamps, who was serenaded for his return to his former La Beaujoire ground, opted to give PSG’s Champions League winners at his disposal a breather.
With Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé all benched, Rayan Cherki was handed the playmaker role, between left-winger Marcus Thuram and Michael Olise on the other side. Les Bleus captain Kylian Mbappé leads the line.
France dominated possession, but they were far from clinical in the final third. Kylian Mbappé and Rayan Cherki missed big chances in the first half, whereas Ivory Coast’s best chances stemmed from Les Bleus’ unforced errors. Mike Maignan proved alert to save Aurélien Tchouaméni’s blushes after the Real Madrid midfielder was too easily dispossessed by Simon Adingra.
Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana was called into action more often than not, but there was nothing he could do to prevent Cherki from opening the scoring. The Manchester City playmaker recovered the ball from Ibrahima Konaté, breezed past Seko Fofana and Yan Diomandé before finding the bottom right corner.
2 months ago
