Amad Diallo scored a late winner as Ivory Coast defeated France 2-1 in a warm-up match for the 2026 World Cup in Nantes on Thursday.
France captain Kylian Mbappe had hoped to break Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 goals for Les Bleus in what was his 97th appearance for his country, but had a fruitless evening and was replaced at half-time by head coach Didier Deschamps, leaving him stuck on 56. goals in second place.
Rayan Cherki had given France the lead in the final minute of the first half with a powerful low goal after some neat footwork in the penalty area.
But Guela Doue, the French-born older brother of France international Desire Doue, equalized after 53 minutes.
And Manchester United winger Diallo, who came on in the second half, gave the Elephants victory six minutes from time with an instinctive finish.
France, one of the World Cup favourites, will play another friendly against Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday before starting their bid for a third world title against Senegal in East Rutherford on June 16.
France vs Ivory Coast player ratings:
France: Mike Maignan (6.0/10), Jules Koundé (6.1/10), Ibrahim Konate (6.0/10), Dayot Upamecano (7.0/10), Theo Hernandez (6.0/10), Aurelien Tchoumameni (8.0/10), Adrien Rabiot (7.0/10), Ryan Cherki (8.2/10). Marcus Thuram (5.8/10), Kylian Mbappé (6.4/10)
subtitles: Maxence Lacroix (5.6/10), Lucas Digne (5.9/10), N’Golo Kanté (6.1/10), Maghnes Akliouche (5.8/10), Jean-Philippe Mateta (5.9/10), Lucas Hernández (6.0/10), Malo Gusto (6.1/10), Manu Koné (6.0/10), Warren Zaire-Emery (6.2/10), Bradley Barcola (6.0/10)
Ivory Coast: Yahia Fofana (7.4/10), Guela Doué (8.5/10), Emmanuel Agbadou (7.2/10), Wilfried Singo (6.6/10), Ghislain Konan (6.8/10), Franck Kessie (6.5/10), Seko Fofana (6.9/10), Yan Diomande (6.2/10) and Simon Adingra Oumar Diakite (6.0/10), Elye Wahi (6.3/10)
subtitles: Nicolas Pépé (6.8/10), Amad Diallo (8.1/10), Ibrahim Sangaré (6.4/10), Bazoumana Touré (6.5/10), Christopher Opéri (6.1/10), Ange-Yoan Bonny (6.2/10), Christ Inao Oulaï (6.0/10), Ousmane Diomande (6.3/10)
Published on June 5, 2026
