(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Ivory Coast Stun France 2-1 in World Cup Warm-Up Match
Ivory Coast produced a surprise result on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over France in a World Cup warm-up match at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
France took the lead just before halftime when Rayan Cherki finished a well-worked move, dribbling past defenders before placing a low shot beyond the goalkeeper.
However, Ivory Coast responded strongly in the second half. Guéla Doué equalized in the 53rd minute after connecting with a pass from Nicolas Pépé to finish past the French goalkeeper.
The winning goal came late in the match when Amad Diallo converted a low cross from Doué in the 84th minute, securing a notable victory for Ivory Coast.
France had several chances throughout the match, with Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Cherki all testing the Ivory Coast goalkeeper, who produced a series of important saves to keep his side in the contest.
Despite sustained pressure from France, Ivory Coast maintained their defensive structure and took advantage of key moments in attack to secure the win.
The match also carried emotional significance for the Doué family, as Guéla Doué played a decisive role against a France side where his brother, Désiré Doué, is part of the squad.
The result serves as a strong preparation boost for Ivory Coast ahead of upcoming international fixtures, while France will look to regroup as they continue their build-up to the tournament.
