Landover, MD – A latest generation of French talent shone brightly at Northwest Stadium on Saturday night, as France defeated Colombia 3-1 in a compelling World Cup warm-up match. Desire Doue, a 20-year-old forward with Paris Saint-Germain, scored twice, marking his first goals for the national team and sending a clear message to their rivals ahead of this summer’s tournament. Although Colombia showed flashes of their attacking prowess, particularly in the second half, they couldn’t overcome a dominant first-half performance from a largely experimental French side.
The match offered both coaches, Didier Deschamps of France and Nestor Lorenzo of Colombia, a valuable opportunity to assess their squads before finalizing their World Cup rosters. Deschamps opted for a complete overhaul of the starting eleven that secured a 2-1 victory over Brazil just days prior, providing valuable minutes to players vying for a place in the final squad. Lorenzo, meanwhile, made just two changes to the team that fell to Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, suggesting a greater degree of certainty regarding his preferred lineup.
Early French Dominance Sets the Tone
Colombia, backed by a vibrant and vocal contingent of supporters, nearly drew first blood in the fifth minute. Richard Rios unleashed a powerful long-range strike that narrowly sailed wide of the post, a warning sign for the French defense. However, Les Bleus quickly established control of possession, dictating the tempo and probing for openings. The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute when Doue, displaying composure and precision, lashed home a deflected effort from the edge of the box, wrong-footing Colombian goalkeeper Alvaro Montero. The goal, a testament to Doue’s burgeoning talent, ignited the French attack.
Just four minutes before halftime, France doubled their advantage. Maghnes Akliouche delivered a pinpoint cross, and Marcus Thuram rose highest to meet it, powerfully heading the ball in off the crossbar for his first goal for France since November 2023. The goal, a well-worked team effort, highlighted the attacking threat posed by Deschamps’ side and left Colombia with a mountain to climb.
Second-Half Adjustments and a Late Colombian Goal
Recognizing the need for a change, Lorenzo made a triple substitution at halftime, bringing on Gustavo Puerta, Andres Gomez, and Jhon Cordoba in an attempt to inject fresh energy and creativity into the Colombian attack. The changes initially sparked a more determined response from Los Cafeteros, but France remained resolute in defense. A misplaced pass from Warren Zaire-Emery almost gifted Luis Diaz a scoring opportunity in the 49th minute, but Maxence Lacroix, making his first international start, intervened with a crucial challenge.
The momentum began to shift slightly in Colombia’s favor, and their efforts were rewarded in the 77th minute. Substitute Jaminton Campaz, with his first goal for Colombia, fired a shot that deflected in off the far post, offering a glimmer of hope for a late comeback. However, despite increased pressure in the closing stages, Colombia were unable to find an equalizer.
Mbappé’s Late Appearance and Doue’s Standout Performance
Even with a comfortable lead, Deschamps introduced star forward Kylian Mbappé in the 86th minute, much to the delight of the crowd. Mbappé nearly added a fourth goal for France, but his shot was cleared off the line by a desperate Colombian defender. The late cameo underscored the depth of talent available to Deschamps as he prepares for the World Cup.
it was the performance of Desire Doue that stood out. The young forward’s two goals and dynamic play earned him the Flashscore Man of the Match award. His performance will undoubtedly fuel the debate surrounding Deschamps’ final squad selection. France extended their unbeaten run to nine games (W8, D1) with this victory, building confidence as they head into the World Cup.
Colombia, despite the defeat, will look to refine their approach as they continue their preparations. They have lost four of their last seven matches against teams currently ranked higher in the FIFA world rankings (W1, D2), highlighting the challenges they face against elite opposition.
The focus now shifts to the final squad announcements for both nations. Deschamps is expected to reveal his World Cup roster in the coming days, while Lorenzo will also need to finalize his selections. The friendly matches served as a crucial testing ground, providing valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of both teams as they gear up for the biggest stage in international football.
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