FRANCE 2-1 IVORY COAST- AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI SCORES LATE WINNER FOR DIDIER DESCHAMPS’ SIDE IN MARSEILLE .
International Friendlies, Orange Velodrome – France 2 (Giroud, 22, Tchouameni, 90) Ivory Coast 1 (Pepe, 19′).
A late Aurelien Tchouameni goal grabbed a 2-1 win for France against Ivory Coast in Marseille.
The two teams clashed 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 William 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.
