The PSG luminary proved pivotal for France.
Desire Doue notched his inaugural senior international goals with a brace, as France effortlessly triumphed 3-1 against Colombia in Maryland.
Didier Deschamps completely revamped France’s starting eleven, following his team’s 2-1 victory over Brazil on Thursday; despite this, his squad remained at ease, even before a stadium brimming with Colombian supporters.
Doue’s initial French goal initiated the scoring in the 29th minute, and a mere 12 minutes subsequent, Marcus Thuram solidified their absolute dominance at Northwest Stadium, the home ground of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
Colombia seldom seemed poised to orchestrate a comeback, as Doue concluded a superb French offensive early in the second half, effectively sealing the game’s outcome. The only minor imperfection for Deschamps and his squad that afternoon was a late consolation strike for Colombia, courtesy of Jaminton Campaz.
The South American squad menaced to further diminish the score difference in a chaotic final period, yet France upheld a straightforward triumph that emphasized their extensive talent pool and their standing as principal contenders for the 2026 World Cup in North America this coming summer.
Doue Initiates Scoring as France Comfortably Overcomes Colombia
Colombia commenced the match with vigor, but subsequently paid the cost for not adequately challenging French goalkeeper Brice Samba, as Les Bleus converted their initial two attempts on goal.
Doue initiated the goal tally, overcoming Alvaro Montero from the periphery of the penalty area, aided by a deflection after a Thuram assist was deftly guided into his trajectory.
Maghnes Akliouche instigated the sequence culminating in the initial goal, and it was his exquisite left-footed cross that orchestrated France’s second, with Thuram heading in his masterful delivery from close proximity.
Colombia reacted positively, and Daniel Munoz sent a shot wide following a slick maneuver, yet their defensive struggles persisted, culminating in Doue compelling Montero to parry the ball over the crossbar just prior to the interval.
However, Doue secured his second goal a mere 11 minutes into the second half, his powerful close-range shot proving insurmountable for Montero after Akliouche and Cherki collaborated to liberate Thuram on the right flank; the Inter Milan forward flawlessly provided an effortless setup for the young 20-year-old.
Campaz offered the multitude of Colombian supporters a reason to cheer, as he angled a shot in off the post, having been set up by Jefferson Lerma 13 minutes before the end of regulation play.
This instilled in Colombia the conviction of an improbable comeback, though France maintained a significant danger on the counter-attack. Kylian Mbappe exemplified this, witnessing his attempt cleared from the goal-line subsequent to fellow replacements Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike dissecting the Colombian defense.
Olise’s superb throughball enabled Ekitike to be clear on goal, but Mbappe was ultimately thwarted after the Liverpool forward could not successfully round Montero.
Mbappe and Ekitike both squandered additional opportunities during injury time, with the former subsequently witnessing what would have been a record-equaling 57th goal for France nullified due to offside.
That particular historical milestone may very well materialize at the World Cup for the Real Madrid luminary, yet this specific day was unequivocally owned by Doue.