France put in another strong performance on Sunday night, beating Colombia 3-1 in an international friendly at Northwest Stadium. The match gave both teams a valuable test as they continue building toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Even with a completely changed starting lineup from the team that beat Brazil 2-1 a few days earlier, France looked sharp from the start. Désiré Doué led the way with his first two senior international goals, while Marcus Thuram added another with a well-taken header. Jáminton Campaz scored late for Colombia, but France stayed in control for most of the night in front of 60,734 fans.
Match Highlights: Doué Delivers as France Takes Charge
France made heavy changes, but their rhythm never dropped. They controlled long stretches of the game and finished their chances well.
Key moments included:
- 29th minute: Désiré Doué opened the scoring with a calm finish for his first goal at the senior level.
- 41st minute: Marcus Thuram made it 2-0 with a strong header after a cross from Maghnes Akliouche.
- 56th minute: Doué struck again, this time from a Thuram assist, to push France 3-0 ahead.
- 77th minute: Jáminton Campaz got one back for Colombia after a pass from Jefferson Lerma, but the comeback never came.
France looked dangerous going forward all night. Even without several regular starters, they created chance after chance and stayed organized at the back for most of the match. Colombia had some bright moments, especially through Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez, yet they rarely tested the French defense often enough.
Didier Deschamps will be pleased with what he saw. France beat Brazil earlier in the window, and now they’ve followed that with another win over strong South American opposition. Just as important, the rotated squad showed that France has quality all over the field.
France Player Ratings and Standout Performers
France’s second unit played with real confidence and balance. Doué stood out most, showing composure on the ball and sharp finishing in front of goal. Many match reports had him as the top performer.
Thuram also made a big impact. He gave France a target up front, linked play well, and helped create the third goal. In midfield, N’Golo Kanté brought his usual energy and control, helping France keep the pace of the game where they wanted it.
France Key Stats Table
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 3 |
| Goals Scored | 3 (Doué 2, Thuram 1) |
| Possession (%) | ~58% |
| Shots on Target | 7 |
| Big Chances Created | 4 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 89% |
| Tackles Won | 18 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
France managed the tempo well, especially in the first half. They also showed they can score in different ways, from open play and from wide service into the box.
Colombia Shows Fight, But France Stays a Step Ahead
Colombia came into the match in good form, but France’s speed and control gave them problems. The South American side created a few decent openings after halftime, though they lacked a sharp final touch until Campaz scored late.
At times, Colombia pressed higher and tried to force mistakes. Still, that approach left space behind them, and France used it well. Defensive mistakes also hurt Colombia, especially on the goals from Doué and Thuram.
The result was Colombia’s first loss since March, and it exposed a few issues they will want to fix before the World Cup. Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez both had flashes of class, but the team could not keep pressure on France for long enough.
Colombia Key Stats Table
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 1 |
| Goals Scored | 1 (Campaz 1) |
| Possession (%) | ~42% |
| Shots on Target | 4 |
| Big Chances Created | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 84% |
| Tackles Won | 22 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
Colombia improved after the break and showed more intent. Even so, France’s pace on the counter kept them from building real momentum.
Tactics and What This Means for the 2026 World Cup
France lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and looked comfortable in every phase. They defended with shape, moved the ball quickly, and attacked with purpose. Most importantly, the players brought in for this match took their chance.
Doué’s breakout performance gives Deschamps another option in attack. That’s good news for a squad already packed with talent, including Kylian Mbappé, who also appeared in the match.
Colombia used a similar 4-2-3-1 setup, but they struggled to match France in midfield. Néstor Lorenzo will likely focus on tightening the team’s shape and improving finishing over the next few months.
The friendly in Landover was part of a busy run of high-profile games in the United States as national teams get ready for the expanded 2026 World Cup. Now both sides turn their attention to the final warm-up matches and squad decisions still to come.
Post-Match Takeaways
Fans and pundits came away impressed by France’s rotated lineup. The team looked polished, confident, and more than capable of competing at the highest level. Many observers pointed out, once again, that France seems to have enough talent for two elite squads.
On the Colombian side, supporters saw a difficult night but also a few positives from the attack. Campaz’s goal gave them something to build on, even if the overall display fell short.
France’s 3-1 win over Colombia felt like more than a routine friendly result. It sent a clear message before the World Cup. With strong depth, smart rotation, and young players like Désiré Doué stepping up, Les Bleus look ready to make a serious push in 2026.
