Bitter farewells: 🇪🇸 Spain stumble against Iraq, France throw it away | OneFootball

Spain and France, two of the biggest favorites for the upcoming World Cup, stumbled in friendlies played this Thursday (4).

They were saying goodbye to their respective fans before the trip to the World Cup. 

But no one told the teams on the other side.

France — playing pretty much at full strength — took the lead, but Ivory Coast secured a 2-1 win in Nantes thanks to the lesser-known Doué shining.

Mbappé & Co.'s national team had not lost since June 5 of last year. 

Meanwhile, a heavily rotated Spain saw Iraq celebrate a valuable 1-1 draw at Riazor.

Many stars did not play...

Luis de La Fuente turned to several players who are only helping with preparations before the trip to the World Cup. In other words: they will not be at the tournament.

Yamal and Nico Williams — both still recovering — as well as Oyarzabal and Pedri were not even available.

Ferran Torres opened the scoring after a mistake by Basil, and Doski equalized by catching Joan García off guard with a cross that ended up in the net.

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A great result for Iraq even against a very rotated opponent.

Spain are in Group H with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.

Iraq, meanwhile — back after the 1986 World Cup — are in Group I with France, Norway and Senegal. 

Stunner, another Doué shining and... an upset?

Didier Deschamps was warmly celebrated by the local crowd at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

The 2026 World Cup will be his last tournament as coach of Les Bleus.

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He has already been in the job for fourteen years.

He only rested Dembélé, Doué and Saliba among the outfield players. 

Cherki, Thuram, Olise and Mbappé made up the attack.

And it was Cherki who opened the scoring.

Désiré Doué's older brother, 23-year-old Guela Doué, equalized for Ivory Coast. He plays for Strasbourg.

The comeback came in the 84th minute thanks to another contribution from Guela Doué, who set up United player Amad Diallo. 

Ivory Coast are in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao.

And France are in the already mentioned Group I with Norway, Senegal and Iraq.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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