Olivier Giroud emerged as the hero for France as Les Bleus staged a remarkable comeback to secure a thrilling victory over Chile in a friendly clash held in Marseille.
The visitors stunned the French side early in the match when Marcelino Nunez found the back of the net with a well-placed low effort in the sixth minute, giving Chile an unexpected lead.
However, France responded resiliently, with Youssouf Fofana restoring parity with a deflected shot shortly after. Randal Kolo Muani then put the hosts ahead with a header, showcasing Les Bleus’ determination to turn the tide in their favor.
The defining moment came in the 72nd minute when veteran striker Olivier Giroud, renowned for his goal-scoring prowess, delivered once again for France. Giroud netted his 57th international goal, securing the winner with a close-range strike and sealing a memorable victory for Didier Deschamps’ side.
The win marks a significant turnaround for France, who suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Germany just days earlier. Deschamps opted for a much-changed lineup, with captain Kylian Mbappe and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni being the only players retained from the weekend fixture.
Despite the early setback, France showcased their resilience and quality, taking control of the game and ultimately clinching a morale-boosting victory over Chile.
For Chile, the defeat under new coach Ricardo Gareca serves as a learning experience, with Dario Osorio’s late effort proving insufficient to salvage a result against the formidable French side.