France falls to Ivory Coast: Mbappé fails to catch up with Giroud in goals. Kylian Mbappé was unable to match Giroud's goal tally for the French national team. In the match against Ivory Coast, the team lost 1–2, and the striker played only the first half.
The French national team suffered a surprising 1-2 defeat against Ivory Coast in a friendly match. The main intrigue of the meeting was the potential record of Kylian Mbappé, who could have caught up with Olivier Giroud in the number of goals for the national team. However, the Real Madrid striker spent only 45 minutes on the field and failed to score.
From the first minutes, Mbappé was actively involved in attacking play, but failed to capitalize on his chances—his shot early in the match was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. France started the game confidently, but gradually the tempo dropped and the team began to lose initiative.
With the World Cup approaching, the French coaching staff decided not to risk their key players. After the break, Didier Deschamps substituted Mbappé to avoid possible injuries. This decision did not yield the expected result: Ivory Coast took advantage of defensive errors and managed to turn the game around.
The first goal was scored by Rayan Cherki, who found the net with an impressive strike just before halftime. His performance on the field was one of the few bright spots for the French team. After key players were substituted, France's defense faltered: Guéla Doué equalized, then assisted Diallo, who set the final score at 1-2.
The defeat came as a surprise to fans and experts, given France's status as the reigning World Cup runner-up. It is important to note that in such situations, coaches often opt to keep the lineup unchanged before major tournaments, which can affect the outcome of friendly matches. Similar decisions regarding squad rotation and managing player health have been discussed in other cases—for example, when Jorge Valdano was forced to end his career due to illness, as detailed in the article about the impact of chronic illnesses on footballers' careers.
For reference: Kylian Mbappé remains one of the most prolific players in the history of the French national team, but has not yet caught up with Olivier Giroud, who holds the record for most goals. Coaches often use friendly matches to test new tactics and players, which can sometimes lead to unexpected results. The next official match for the French national team is scheduled as part of preparations for the World Cup.
