A late Aurelien Tchouameni winner grabbed a 2-1 win for France against Ivory Coast in Marseille.The two teams faced off at the Velodrome in Marseille as the French Football Federation used the opportunity to take the national team on tour,For Didier Deschamps, RB Leipzig striker Christoph Nkunku was given his debut while he was joined by a recalled Olivier Giroud, making his first appearance since the Euro 2020 finals.
For Ivory Coast, they called up Nicolas Pepe to support Wilfried Zaha and Sebastien Haller, with Pepe’s fine strike enough to beat Hugo Lloris midway through the first half, but Giroud’s header quickly cancelled out any advantage.In the second half, Ghislain Konan brought a good early stop from Lloris, and Serge Aurier did the same just before the hour mark.Arsenal defender Williams Saliba – on loan to Marseille – came on in the second half to huge cheers.Both managers then threw on a succession of subs in order to make the most of the friendly ahead of more significant games to come, and with a draw looking certain, young Monaco midfielder Tchouameni headed in a dramatic late winner.Ivory Coast will now travel to England for another friendly on Tuesday, while France will face South Africa on the same evening.
TALKING POINT – DESCHAMPS RIGHT TO RETURN TO GIROUD
With Wissam Ben Yedder only trusted for a few minutes on the south coast, it was time for Olivier Giroud to make his return to the national team.The veteran has been counted out so many times but he keeps coming back, and keeps scoring. It is hard to believe now that he won’t remain a fixture in the national team until he finally retires.With his experience and always improving technique, if he can stay fit for the next few years, he could maybe even see the next World Cup. It might feel somewhat underwhelming and concerning that the French manager has to keep returning to the 35-year-old, but they should instead start appreciating what they have in the AC Milan man.
MAN OF THE MATCH – THEO HERNANDEZ (FRANCE)
It’s another AC Milan player who is the standout performer. While Giroud grabbed the equaliser, the wing-back provided the assist, and was a constant threat down the left while being able to help out his brother Lucas when the pressure was on.
PLAYER RATINGS
France: Lloris 7, Varane 6, Kounde 6, Hernandez L 6, Coman 6, Hernandez T 7, Pogba 6, Tchouameni 7, Griezmann 6, Giroud 7, Nkunku 6. Subs: Saliba 6, Guendouzi 7, Ben Yedder 6, Clauss 6, Rabiot 6.Ivory Coast: Sangare B 6, Konan 6, Bailly 6, Boly 6, Aurier 6, Seri 6, Kessie 6, Sangare I 6, Pepe 7, Zaha 5, Haller 5. Subs: Kossounou 6, Akouokou 6, Cornet 6, Gradel 6, Konate 6.
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