France showed firepower and squad depth in 3-1 win over Colombia

Desire Doue scored twice as France demonstrated their attacking firepower and strength in depth with a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia on Sunday in his final appearance before coach Didier Deschamps named his World Cup squad.

With a completely different line-up to the first-choice side, who won 2-1 against Brazil on Thursday, Les Bleus still proved too strong for Colombia, with Doue’s double and another goal from Marcus Thuram sealing a comfortable win.

Jaminton Campaz pulled one back for Colombia, who were quickly overwhelmed despite a decent start. Baca juga tentang PaiuS7. Sometimes criticized for favoring cold calculation over flair, France – over the course of two warm-up matches – combined style with efficiency and headed with growing assurance towards the World Cup from June 11-July 19, ahead of Deschamps’ final tournament in charge.

«What we have produced in these two matches is really interesting. We can’t wait for June,» said Rayan Cherki, who felt comfortable in France’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Deschamps was equally positive in his assessment. “A very positive sporting assessment against two very strong South American teams,” he said. “We have given opportunities to many players… the quality is there.”

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After a lively opening period, France took the lead through Doue, who fired a low strike into the bottom corner in the 29th minute to score his first international goal.

Five minutes before half-time, Thuram doubled the lead by firing a header in off the underside of the crossbar after a beautifully curled cross from Maghnes Akliouche.

Any doubt was effectively removed before the hour. Akliouche quickly broke through from midfield and started the attack before Cherki released Thuram on the right, and the striker unselfishly pushed towards Doue to apply a clinical finish.

Just as Kylian Mbappé was about to come on as a late substitute, Campaz reduced the deficit with an accurate corner shot. Mbappe, as well as fellow substitute Hugo Ekitike, came close to finishing fourth in a frantic finish. France will fine-tune its World Cup preparations against Ivory Coast in Nantes on June 4 and another yet-undetermined opponent on June 8.

Deschamps announces his selection for the World Cup on May 14.

Published on March 30, 2026