Ivory Coast stun France 2-1 in World Cup warm-up as Diallo completes Nantes comeback
The Mt Kenya Times 
The Elephants overturn a half-time deficit to hand one of the tournament favourites their first home defeat to an African side in more than a decade
By Norman Mwale
Ivory Coast delivered a statement of intent ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday night, overturning a half-time deficit to beat France 2-1 at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes and leave one of the tournament favourites with serious questions to answer.
France struck late in the opening period. In the 45th minute, Rayan Cherki collected a pass from Ibrahima Konaté, glided past two defenders and drilled a low right-footed effort into the bottom left corner to give Les Bleus a deserved lead at the interval. Didier Deschamps’ side had dominated possession and looked set to extend a run of eight wins from their last nine fixtures.
The Elephants emerged transformed after the break. Ivory Coast levelled in the 53rd minute when Guela Doue — the French-born Strasbourg defender and older brother of France international Désiré Doué — finished off a flowing move to restore parity. Momentum swung decisively towards the visitors, who pressed France deep into their own half as the second period wore on.
The decisive moment arrived six minutes from time. Doue turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross from the right that found Manchester United winger Amad Diallo arriving at the penalty spot. Diallo’s controlled first-time finish nestled in the bottom left corner in the 84th minute to seal a famous victory for Ivory Coast.
France captain Kylian Mbappé endured a fruitless evening and was withdrawn at half-time, leaving him on 56 international goals — one shy of Olivier Giroud’s all-time record. Deschamps introduced Bradley Barcola in search of an equaliser late on, but the hosts could not find a way through.
Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé praised his side’s resilience after the final whistle. The result caps an unbeaten run for the African champions in their World Cup build-up and provides a timely confidence boost before they face Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao in Group E.
France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was measured in his assessment of the defeat. “It is unfortunate to lose, but we are in a preparation stage; we remain confident,” he said. “There is nothing to conclude from this match, even if we had secured a victory. We will be ready.”
The defeat was France’s first home loss to an African nation since 2013, ending a run of two wins and a draw in previous meetings with Ivory Coast. Les Bleus face Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday in their final warm-up before opening their World Cup campaign against Senegal on 16 June in East Rutherford. Ivory Coast now turn their full attention to the tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For a side tipped by many to lift the trophy, Thursday’s result was a reminder that reputations count for little once the whistle blows. For Ivory Coast, it was proof that Diallo, Doue and the Elephants will fear no one when the World Cup begins.
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