Ibrahima Konate was given a rest as Hugo Ekitike came off the bench for France in a 3-1 win over Colombia across the Atlantic.
Having beaten Brazil 2-1 last week, France followed it up with an impressive win over Colombia in Maryland, USA – and they did so without Konate.
Against Brazil, coach Didier Deschamps started Konate alongside Dayot Upamecano at centre-half, but it was the turn of Maxence Lacroix and Lucas Hernandez to play against Colombia.
There was still Liverpool involvement in the match, though, as Ekitike was brought on for the last half hour.
3CTYD64 Wroclaw, Poland. 05th Sep, 2025. Hugo Ekitike of France seen during European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Ukraine and France at Stadium Wroclaw (Wroclaw). Final score Ukraine 0 : 2 France (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
The 23-year-old was arguably the man of the match from the left wing against Brazil, scoring a great winning goal for Les Bleus.
However, his influence was smaller on Sunday evening after coming on in the left-wing position for Paris Saint-Germain’s promising attacker, Desire Doue.
With France 3-0 up, there was little need for urgency among their forwards and Ekitike didn’t have to exert himself, despite Colombia’s consolation strike in the 77th minute.
According to FotMob, the Liverpool man made eight of his nine passes accurately, put one of his two shots on target and had 24 touches, two of which came in Colombia’s penalty box.
It was a satisfactory night for Ekitike rather than a remarkable one, with the Frenchman having already made his impact on Deschamps during this International break.
Like Konate, he should now expect to be called up to the World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament that will see them face Senegal, Norway and Iraq or Bolivia in the group stage.
Whether they both Liverpool players make the starting XI is up for debate.
France have a wealth of attacking options with whom Ekitike is competing. Kylian Mbappe will start up front, so Ekitike will likely be battling Doue and Ousmane Dembele for a spot on the left.
Meanwhile, only two of Konate, Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Lacroix and Hernandez can start at centre-half.
Giorgi Mamardashvili keeps clean sheet for Georgia
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - Wednesday, June 26, 2024: Georgia's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Arena AufSchalke. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Konate and Co. go to the World Cup, Giorgi Mamardashvili will stay at home as his Georgia side didn’t qualify.
They still played two friendlies in this break, though, with the goalkeeper holding out for a clean sheet in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lithuania.
Their other fixture of the fortnight, which Mamardashvili also played, came three days earlier as they drew 2-2 against Israel.
PSG’s Georgian winger, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, warmed up nicely for his Champions League tie against the Reds, scoring twice and playing 90 minutes in both matches.
With Alisson‘s fitness for Liverpool’s upcoming games still uncertain, Mamardashvili may be called upon again after playing two of the team’s last four games.