Olivier Giroud’s goal was not enough as France gave away a two-goal lead to succumb to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Colombia.
Didier Deschamps chose to start Paul Pogba on the bench, with the manager opting for a central midfield pairing of N’Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi, a player who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent times.
The match started with France on the front foot. The Euro 2016 runners-up looked driven from the get-go, with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann wreaking havoc. A quick throw-in from Djibril Sidibe saw Mbappe free with some space to cross the ball from the right, but Olivier Giroud failed to get to the end of it.
It looked like Giroud had played Antoine Griezmann through, but the Atletico Madrid star was flagged for offside After a barrage of early attacks, it was the Chelsea striker who opened France’s account as he latched on to the rebound from Lucas Digne’s cross, which was woefully parried by David Ospina.
Antoine Griezmann made a meal of a free kick from the right, but the superstar made amends a few minutes later as he initiated a beautiful backheel pass to Kylian Mbappe, who set up Thomas Lemar to double France’s lead.
Colombia had looked clueless in attack, but a stroke of luck got them a goal as Luis Muriel’s grounded cross found the back of the net. Davinson Sanchez had attempted a shot, but did not manage to get a touch in and the goal was awarded to Muriel.
Mbappe played Griezmann through, but Ospina was up to the task. Blaise Matuidi looked to have suffered a knock, but got up and carried on soon enough. Luis Muriel cut in from the left and passed to James Rodriguez, who looked to have been brought down by Antoine Griezmann for a free-kick in a dangerous position, although there seemed to be no contact between the two players.
Rodriguez though, failed to get his shot on the target and the two sides headed into the break with France holding a slender 2-1 lead despite dominating proceedings. In the 50th minute, Luis Muriel had a brilliant opportunity to level the score, but horribly miscued his volley wide of the goal.
Muriel had another great chance and while his shot was on goal this time, Hugo Lloris was up to the task. Colombia though, finally found the second in the 62nd minute as James crossed it first time for Radamel Falcao, who calmly slotted the ball past Lloris into the bottom corner.
Deschamps then brought on Ousmane Dembele and Paul Pogba to spur the team on in the final third. As the two came on, Raphael Varane got on the end of the corner, but failed to make his header count from close range. Radamel Falcao gave way for Duvan Zapata.
Paul Pogba attempted a long drive in the 72nd minute, but Ospina had it covered and parried it away. Wissam Ben Yedder almost restored France’s lead as soon as he came on as he got on the end of the cross from Ousmane Dembele, but failed to connect well.
Jefferson Lerma tried a shot from long range, but it failed to hit the target. Changes ringed in from both sides as France and Colombia both looked for the winner. With just five minutes left in regulation time, Samuel Umtiti brought down Juan Quintero in the box and Colombia were awarded a penalty.
Quintero, who had come on just a few minutes earlier, took the responsibility of the spot kick and dispatched it with aplomb to give Colombia the lead. As France looked for an equalizer, N’Golo ante tried a long-ranged effort, but scuffled his attempt.
Lucas Hernandez got on the end of the free-kick but failed to make it count and skied his shot. Duvan Zapata came close on the other side, but his shot was deflected for a corner. The ensuing corner saw Colombia try and waste time as the referee blew the final whistle.
