Ivory Coast Beat France 2-1 as Spain Held by Iraq in World Cup Warmups

Ivory Coast Beat France 2-1 as Spain Held by Iraq in World Cup Warmups

Ivory Coast defeated France 2-1 in Nantes on Thursday, with Guela Doué scoring and setting up the winning goal against the country represented by his brother Désiré Doué, who was an unused substitute. Amad Diallo converted Guela Doué’s low cross from the right with six minutes remaining at Stade de la Beaujoire to seal the result. In La Coruña on the same day, Iraq held Spain to a 1-1 draw, denying the reigning European champions a winning send-off ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Rayan Cherki had given France the lead in first-half stoppage time, cutting past two defenders before beating goalkeeper Yahia Fofana with a low shot. Ivory Coast levelled eight minutes after the break when Guela Doué converted a through ball from Nicolas Pépé. France coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after this World Cup following a tenure that began in 2012 and included the 2018 title and a 2022 final appearance, rested all six players involved in the preceding Champions League final, introducing Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola from the bench in the second half. The match in Nantes also carried personal significance for Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé, who was born in the city.

In Spain, Ferran Torres put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, but Merchas Doski equalised before the half-hour with a left-footed strike from outside the box to beat goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Spain operated without forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, and coach Luis de la Fuente also rested David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Fabián Ruiz, all of whom had featured in the Champions League final. De la Fuente indicated after the match that Yamal is expected to be fit for the tournament.

France faces Northern Ireland on Monday in Lille before opening its World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16 in New Jersey. Ivory Coast begins against Ecuador in Philadelphia on June 14. Spain plays Peru in Mexico on Monday ahead of its opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15, while Iraq meets Norway in Massachusetts on June 16.