Euro 2016 hosts France took on Cameroon in an international friendly in Nantes on Monday night.
The home side took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute through Blaise Matuidi, but Cameroon were level less than two minutes later when Vincent Aboubakar finished from close range.
France did take a 2-1 lead into the interval, however, courtesy of Olivier Giroud's 41st-minute strike.
Cameroon were back on terms in the 88th minute when Maxim Choupo-Moting finished from close range, but Dimitri Payet won it for France with a free kick in the final minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's international coverage continues from Nantes as France welcome Cameroon for a friendly. There is nothing official to play for tonight, but it will be a good test for France, who are building towards Euro 2016. Cameroon, meanwhile, have taken a break from their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign to face the hosts of next month's European Championships.
Tonight will be just the third time that France and Cameroon have met in international football. Their first friendly occurred in 2000, when the pair played out a 1-1 draw. They have only ever met once in an official match and that was a 1-0 France victory during the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for tonight's match. Will Didier Deschamps's XI give an indication of his thinking for the Romania match on June 10? Who has made it...
TEAMS:
FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Diarra, Matuidi; Coman, Giroud, Payet
CAM: Ondoa; Nyom, Chedjou, Tejkeu, Oyongo; Mandjeck, Enoh, Salli; Zoua, Toko Ekambi, Aboubakar
No Anthony Martial in the France XI tonight after the Manchester United striker suffered a knock in training, but the 20-year-old will be fit for Euro 2016. There are Premier League representatives in the shape of Hugo Lloris, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet, however, while Kingsley Coman and Paul Pogba also start. Lassana Diarra is also selected in midfield.
As for Cameroon, Watford defender Allan Nyom starts at right-back, while an experienced midfield includes Standard Liege's Eyong Enoh and Metz's Georges Mandjeck. Further forward, Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar will win his 45th cap and there is just a fourth cap for Sochaux's Karl Toko Ekambi.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Nantes. I shall talk about Cameroon a little bit later on, but let's start with France, who are being tipped to challenge for the Euro 2016 crown on home soil this summer. This is the first of two international friendlies for the Blues before the tournament opens in Paris on June 10.
On Saturday, France will face Scotland in a friendly, before opening their tournament against Romania on June 10 in Paris. Deschamps's side will also face Albania and Switzerland in the group stages and in truth, it would be a major surprise if they failed to make it through into the knockout rounds. Alongside Spain and Germany, France are being tipped to challenge for the Euro 2016 crown.
11 days until #Euro2016. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/9LJhicw0tr — UEFA EURO 2016 (@EurosUEFA) 30 May 2016
As hosts of Euro 2016, France automatically qualified and as a result, have not actually played a competitive match since the 2014 World Cup. The Blues made it through the group stages in Brazil before beating Nigeria in the round of 16, but lost out to eventual winners Germany in the quarter-finals. It does seem incredible that they have not played a competitive game since July 2014.
France beat Spain 1-0 in their first friendly after the 2014 World Cup, but lost to Brazil, Belgium and Albania in 2015. They have won seven of their last eight friendlies, however, including a 4-2 success over Russia last time out. Their last defeat came against England in November, but the result of that match was almost void after the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris. The result just was not important.
France actually failed to make it out of the group stages in Euro 2008, but their record in recent competitions is pretty good. They won Euro 2000 and have made the quarter-finals in two of their last three competitions. In Euro 2012, they made it through to the final eight before losing out to eventual winners Spain. Both sets of players are currently going through their warm-ups here!
© Getty Images
France have arguably the most exciting crop of youngsters in the European game and they will surely be challengers for the 2018 World Cup if their players continue to develop. Whether this competition has come too soon is a question for next month, but Deschamps has a wonderful crop of players, even without the likes of Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane, who will not feature.
La pelouse est arrosée juste avant l'arrivée des joueurs à l'échauffement ! #FRACAM #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/alg54CfNuj — Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) May 30, 2016
As for Cameroon, Hugo Broos's team are currently focusing on qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The Indomitable Lions currently sit top of Group M having won two and drawn two of their four matches to date. Last time out, they picked up a point in a 0-0 draw away to South Africa.
Cameroon have only won one of their last five matches in all competitions, however, and have not actually played an international friendly since January 6, when they drew 1-1 with Rwanda. After tonight's match, they will continue their ACO campaign away to Mauritania on June 2.
In terms of Cameroon's competition record, the African nation failed to make it out of the group stages of both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup. They did make the quarter-finals in 1990, however, in what is their best showing to date. They also finished as runners-up to France in the 2003 Confederations Cup. There is no question that Cameroon will provide France with a tough test tonight.
Cameroon are four-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, but they failed to make it out of the group stages in 2015 and have not won the competition since 2002. They do have a whole host of talented players, however, a number will be on show tonight. Just 10 minutes until kickoff in Nantes.
© Getty Images
Just a reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Diarra, Matuidi; Coman, Giroud, Payet
CAM: Ondoa; Nyom, Chedjou, Tejkeu, Oyongo; Mandjeck, Enoh, Salli; Zoua, Toko Ekambi, Aboubakar
Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get the first period underway. Will France continue their Euro 2016 preparations with a win? We shall see!
Both national anthems, as expected, were wonderfully observed.
KICKOFF! It is Cameroon that kick things off in Nantes tonight...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight - let's hope that the football matches it! France have taken control of the possession in the opening moments here.
As expected, France are the team looking to force the issue in the early stages as they pop the ball from left to right in the Cameroon half of the field. We have not seen too much from the visitors thus far and they concede the first corner of the match when Evra's cross is blocked behind by Chedjou.
Pogba looks to release Sagna with a long-range pass from the middle of the park, but the right-back just cannot catch up with the ball. France have the chance to deliver a free kick into the Cameroon box after Coman is brought to the deck, but Payet's set piece is headed clear by number 18 Enoh.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of opportunities in the opening nine minutes, but France are the more progressive team as they continue to move the ball in the final third. We have not seen too much from Aboubakar in the Cameroon attack, but the Porto striker only usually needs one chance.
Zoua attempts to break away from Rami as Cameroon venture forward, but the number nine just loses control and France regain control of the possession. The home side break and Payet looks to pick out Pogba with a cross from the left, but it is too strong for the Juventus midfielder. Goal-kick!
Busy last few minutes for the referee, who has to deal with a number of late challenges.
SAVE! What a save! Stunning from Lloris as the France goalkeeper gets down to keep out a low strike from Ekambi, which looked to be heading for the bottom corner. What a stop there!
Plenty of possession for France and quick movement in the final third, but Ondoa has had a very comfortable 16 minutes in the Cameroon net. Still goalless in this international friendly in Nantes.
CHANCE! Again Cameroon come close as Zoua delivers a terrific cross onto the head of Aboubakar, but the skipper's header is just over the crossbar. Good work again from the visitors!
Really good spell for Cameroon as they continue to threaten in the final third. France do not look that comfortable at the back, especially in the centre, as green shirts continue to flood forward.
GOAL! France 1-0 Cameroon (Matuidi)
France make the breakthrough in the 20th minute of this international friendly as Coman drives down the left before picking out a wonderful cross into Matuidi, who volleys past Ondoa!
GOAL! France 1-1 Cameroon (Aboubakar)
Make that 1-1! Cameroon level the scores in the 22nd minute as Nyom feeds a super cross into Aboubakar, who cannot miss from close range! What a super game of football this is!
Salli has a strike deflected over for Cameroon as the visitors threaten a second goal here.
Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Cameroon have not come here to sit back and contain France, that is for sure. The opening 26 minutes have absolutely flown past and it has been a wonderfully entertaining contest.
Giroud makes contact on a Payet free kick from a deep area, but the striker's header was always moving away from goal. Plenty happening in the middle of the park as late tackles continue to arrive.
Cameroon have some serious pace in their team tonight and Oyongo is the latest player to break forward in a wide position. Sagna, however, is across to make the challenge. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in Nantes as the tempo continues to rise here.
Evra and Nyom go head-to-head and that brings a little scuffle, but the referee is on the scene and quickly calms it down! Little under 15 minutes of the first period left to play in this contest.
BOOKING! Enoh (Cameroon) is booked for a late challenge on Coman.
CLOSE! Payet picks out the head of Pogba with a terrific free kick, but the midfielder's effort is just wide of the post. Ondoa was getting absolutely nowhere near that one!
BOOKING! Nyom (Cameroon) is booked for a late challenge on Payet.
Little over five minutes of the first period left to play and France are currently in control of the possession. Another half-chance arrives when Pogba slides a ball into Coman, but Nyom is on the cover to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner from Payet is then bundled clear by Ekambi.
Coman is again the target for Pogba, who sweeps a pass towards the youngster, but it is just too strong and Cameroon have a goal kick. This first period has absolutely flown past it must be said.
GOAL! France 2-1 Cameroon (Giroud)
France regain the lead in the 41st minute of action as Pogba shakes off the challenge of Enoh before delivering a wonderful cross into Giroud, who simply places his effort into the bottom corner!
I for one do not want this first period to end. It has been an open and expansive game between two teams that want to attack and create opportunities. Surely more goals to come after the break.
France threaten once again as Payet delivers another dangerous free kick into the Cameroon box, but Teikeu does enough to clear after holding onto the shirt of Giroud. Koscielny then comes close from the resulting corner, but his header is over the crossbar. Cameroon are just struggling right now.
HALF-TIME: France 2-1 Cameroon
The referee brings the first period to a close with France leading Cameroon 2-1 following an excellent first 45 minutes of action. Matuidi sent the home side 1-0 ahead in the 20th minute, but Aboubakar levelled in the 22nd, before Giroud scored France's second four minutes before the break.
STATS! France have just about shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had five attempts - two of which were on target. Cameroon, meanwhile, also hit the target with two of their five attempts in that first 45 minutes. Two yellow cards to report in Nantes - Enoh and Nyom for Cameroon.
BENCH WATCH! The likes of Cabaye, Digne, Kante, Gignac, Jallet and Sissoko will all be hoping to feature for France in the second period, while Cameroon boss Broos has options in the shape of Bedimo, Choupo-Moting, Etame, Siani and N'Jie. Plenty of talent on both benches tonight!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Have there been any changes? Bare with me while I find out! It is France that resume the action here...
... FRANCE SUBS! Kante has replaced Diarra in the French midfield, while Mandanda has replaced Lloris between the sticks. Also, at least one change for Cameroon. Bare with me!
CAMEROON SUB! Choupo-Moting has replaced Salli for Cameroon.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances early in the second period, but both teams have already shown their attacking intent. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here.
CORRECTION! Lloris is still in goal for France, not Mandanda. Had some false info!
I have lost count of the number of times that Coman has been fouled tonight! The youngster has been excellent in possession of the ball and is surely in line to start France's first game at Euro 2016. Good spell for the home side at the moment as Evra continues to make ground down the left.
Super work from Pogba as the midfielder produces a no-look pass into Evra, but the left-back drills his cross straight into the arms of the Cameroon goalkeeper. No real opportunities in the second period thus far, but both teams are still showing their intent by committing numbers forward.
CHANCES! Opportunity for Cameroon as Chedjou's low strike somehow reaches Aboubakar, but the Porto striker can only deflect his effort over the crossbar. Down the other end, Giroud goes through one-on-one with Ondoa, but the Cameroon stopper makes a fine save!
Little over 30 minutes of this friendly remaining and we are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. Both managers have made one sub apiece tonight.
Good spell for France in the last couple of minutes as they pass and probe in the final third, but Cameroon are always a threat with their pace on the counter. Indeed, Zoua has just run away from Rami, but the centre-back did well to recover. Some lightening speed in the away side's XI tonight.
SAVE! Super save from Ondoa to prevent a curling effort from Pogba finding the back of the net. Eventually the ball is fed back to Kante and his effort is just wide of the far post!
FRANCE SUB! Gignac replaces Giroud in the French attack.
FRANCE SUB! Sissoko replaces Pogba in France's third change.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and France still lead 2-1 in Nantes.
Mandjeck seems to have a problem for Cameroon after going down in a challenge with Kante and the midfielder might well need to be replaced here. Cameroon have two subs ready to come on.
CAMEROON SUBS! N'Jie and Abang replace Aboubakar and Mendjeck.
Cameroon currently have France pinned back to the edge of their own box...
... we currently have a 'Mexican Wave' going round the stadium, but that is a little bit cruel - the game has not been that bad in the second period! Nowhere near as good as the first though.
France break and Payet decides to have a go from distance, but his effort hits Chedjou and Ondoa can collect under little pressure. Still 2-1 France with 76 minutes on the clock in Nantes.
CAMEROON SUB! Kom replaces Ekambi for Cameroon.
FRANCE SUB! Cabaye replaces Coman for France.
BOOKING! Evra (France) is booked for a late challenge on Zoua.
CAMEROON SUB! Chedjou is replaced by Djetei.
Abang just drops a header wide of the post as Cameroon come close to a leveller here.
Possession football from France as they move the ball from left to right in the final third of the field. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as we head for the final five minutes.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Ondoa! Should be 3-1 France as Cabaye breaks through into a one-on-one situation with the Cameroon goalkeeper, but the stopper comes out on top!
GOAL! France 2-2 Cameroon (Choupo-Moting)
Cameroon level in the 88th minute as Abang sets up Choupo-Moting, who finishes past Lloris after France's back four had gone walkabouts! Poor from both Rami and Koscielny there!
GOAL! France 3-2 Cameroon (Payet)
What a free kick! Stunning from Payet as the West Ham attacker finds the top corner with a stunning set piece. He did it so many times in the Premier League and now has done it for his nation!
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
FULL-TIME: France 3-2 Cameroon
What a finish to the match! It looked as if France would win 2-1, but then Cameroon levelled in the 88th minute. That was not the end of it though as Payet sent a free kick into the top corner for 3-2 in the final minute. What a game! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
