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France continued a strong World Cup build-up with a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia, highlighted by Desire Doue’s first international brace and a Marcus Thuram strike, while Jaminton Campaz replied late on for Colombia as Didier Deschamps’ rotated side extended an unbeaten run that now stretches to nine matches in all competitions.

Doue needed only one start to leave a clear mark, scoring once in each half and registering a game-high three shots, all on target, becoming the first player to open a France account with two goals in a single match since Thomas Lemar’s double against Netherlands in August 2017.

Reflecting on the performance, Doue underlined both personal satisfaction and the team focus, saying: “There is a lot of pride. I am very happy,” Doue told TF1. “It’s a great victory. It wasn’t easy; there was a lot of intensity. We played two very good preparation matches. We are very happy. The coach told us it was important to win, too. We did some good things. We need to continue like this. Do I feel like I’ve scored points? Yes, I try to help the team in every match.”

Deschamps changed the line-up heavily from the earlier victory over Brazil, using the Colombia contest to examine squad depth before selecting the final World Cup group, and achieving the target of minutes for almost everyone, as only goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier stayed on the bench across the evening in France’s second March friendly.

Assessing the March window and the two opponents, Deschamps stressed the value of both results and tests, stating to TF1: “The sporting results are very positive,” he told TF1. “We faced two good teams [Brazil and Colombia]. The quality is there, and all the players who played are eager to return in June. They don’t always get playing time. [Against Colombia], everyone played, except for [Lucas] Chevalier. That’s good, we faced some adversity.”

France’s nine-match unbeaten sequence now includes eight victories and one draw, with the sole slip in that period a 2-2 result against Iceland during World Cup qualifying, and the Colombia meeting again showed resilience, as the visitors matched France’s five shots on target and finished with 13 attempts overall, just one fewer than Deschamps’ side.

France friendly win, key stats and Mbappe offside

France showed attacking variety, with Thuram adding the other goal and also recording a team-high six touches in the Colombia penalty area, while Kylian Mbappe stepped from the bench in the 78th minute and thought a late finish into an empty net had brought a 57th international goal, only for the assistant’s flag to rule offside and keep Mbappe behind Olivier Giroud in the scoring chart.

Creative influence came from Rayan Cherki, who produced a game-leading three chances created and completed 21 passes in the final third, more than any other player, while only N’Golo Kante, with six final-third entries, surpassed Cherki’s five, underlining how France mixed youth and experience across midfield and attack.

France friendly win, Rayan Cherki role and World Cup push

Cherki highlighted a team-first outlook, explaining to TF1: “I’m a team player. I know that opposing teams often expect me to slip up,” he told TF1. “The only thing I’m looking for is for my team to leave the match with a smile. I’m satisfied, but I can always do better. I think I’ve shown the coach that I’m capable of contributing to the team, both on and off the field. That’s the most important thing for me.”

With France viewed among the leading contenders for the World Cup this summer, performances in these March fixtures against Brazil and Colombia have become key auditions, and players such as Doue and Cherki strengthened claims for squad places, as Deschamps now weighs individual contributions, fitness and versatility before announcing selections in June.

Colombia’s effort ensured France had to concentrate throughout, as the visitors matched intensity, stayed competitive in most statistical measures and were rewarded when Jaminton Campaz reduced the deficit late on, yet France’s control in decisive moments, plus the spread of minutes across the squad, left Deschamps and the players satisfied with both performance and preparation value.

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