Key Takeaways:
- Desire Doue netted his first two senior international goals as France defeated Colombia 3-1
- Didier Deschamps fielded a completely changed starting eleven compared to France’s prior victory over Brazil
- France extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches (W8, D1) ahead of Deschamps’ World Cup squad announcement
Contrasting Approaches to Friendly Selection
France and Colombia adopted markedly different strategies for this friendly encounter at Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland. Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps opted for an entirely new starting lineup compared to the side that started against Brazil during their 2-1 win on Thursday. In contrast, Colombia’s Nestor Lorenzo made only two alterations from the line-up that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia on the same night.
VICTOIRE 3⃣-1⃣🔥
Les Bleus s’imposent face à la Colombie et signent un 2/2 parfait lors de cette tournée américaine 💙#FRACOL pic.twitter.com/PRNHUbRhSk— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 29, 2026
Match Analysis: France Capitalise on First-Half Opportunities
Colombian fans filled the stands in yellow, hoping for an early celebration, and were nearly rewarded in the fifth minute as Richard Rios fired a long-range effort just wide of the post. However, France soon took control of possession and broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue, aged 20, marked his name on the scoresheet with a powerful, deflected strike from the edge of the area that left goalkeeper Alvaro Montero wrong-footed.
The advantage was doubled four minutes from half-time when Marcus Thuram notched his first international goal since November 2023, meeting Maghnes Akliouche’s precise cross with a towering header that rebounded in off the crossbar. Although chances for a third goal fell to Thuram and Doue before the interval, Colombia nearly responded through Daniel Munoz, who chipped narrowly wide.
Colombia’s Rally and France’s Ruthless Response
At half-time, Lorenzo introduced Gustavo Puerta, Andres Gomez, and Jhon Cordoba in an attempt to alter the contest’s course, replacing Rios, Jhon Arias, and Luis Suarez. The shift nearly paid immediate dividends four minutes into the second half when Luis Diaz capitalised on a stray pass from Warren Zaire-Emery, yet Maxence Lacroix, starting his first international match, intervened with a crucial challenge to deny him.
That defensive intervention proved vital, as France extended their lead in the 60th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Thuram provide for Doue, who beat Montero at his near post, securing his second goal of the match. Colombia managed to pull one back in the 77th minute, with substitute Jaminton Campaz netting his first senior international goal, firing in off the far post.
Key Statistics and Late Attempts
Colombia intensified their pursuit but could not overcome France’s advantage. This defeat marked Colombia’s second in succession and their fourth in seven matches against teams currently ranked above them in the FIFA world rankings (W1, D2). Kylian Mbappe made a late cameo for France, coming off the bench and seeing an effort cleared off the line, but the match belonged to France’s fringe players, who offered food for thought ahead of Deschamps’ World Cup squad announcement.
France’s victory extended their unbeaten run to nine games (W8, D1), sending a strong message to FIFA World Cup rivals.
| Team | Score | Goal scorers |
|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | Doue (29′, 60′), Thuram (41′) |
| Colombia | 1 | Campaz (77′) |
