Day of shocks: 🇪🇸 slip up v Iraq, France suffer comeback | OneFootball

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

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

Mbappé & Co.'s team had not been beaten since June 5 last year. 

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

Many stars did not play...

Luis de La Fuente went with 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 — still recovering —, 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 went straight in.

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A great result for Iraq even against a very alternative rival.

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 home 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 now 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.

Older brother of Désiré Doué, 23-year-old Guela Doué equalized for Ivory Coast. He plays for Strasbourg.

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

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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