The match, played as part of both teams’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saw France dominate the opening stages before the Elephants turned the game around with a superb second-half display.
France took the lead in the first half through highly-rated midfielder Rayan Cherki, whose brilliant finish gave Didier Deschamps’ side an early advantage after a strong attacking performance. The home side looked comfortable before the break, with stars like Kylian Mbappé causing problems for the Ivorian defence.
However, Ivory Coast returned from halftime with renewed intensity and pace. Defender Guela Doué equalised shortly after the restart, stunning the French crowd and shifting momentum completely in favour of the African giants.
The Elephants continued to press aggressively, taking advantage of several defensive lapses from the French side. Their persistence paid off when Amad Diallo fired home the winning goal after excellent work from Doué, sealing a historic victory for Ivory Coast.
The result marks Ivory Coast’s first-ever victory over France, ending Les Bleus’ impressive unbeaten run and sending a strong message ahead of the World Cup tournament.
France manager Didier Deschamps made several second-half substitutions as he rotated his squad during preparations for the global competition, but Ivory Coast’s speed and attacking quality proved too much to handle.
For Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé, the victory is another major statement after guiding the Elephants back to the world stage. The African side showed resilience, tactical discipline and attacking sharpness against one of football’s biggest nations.
Meanwhile, despite the defeat, France will still take positives from the encounter, particularly the impressive display from Cherki, who continues to strengthen his place in the national team setup.
Both nations will now shift focus to their upcoming World Cup fixtures, with Ivory Coast carrying huge confidence after an unforgettable night in Nantes.
France 1-2 Ivory Coast
Scorers:
• Rayan Cherki (France)
• Guela Doué (Ivory Coast)
• Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)