We're very close to the end of the game and we've just seen probably the best chance at one of these teams breaking the deadlock. Not a whole lot to be learned from this match except the fairly obvious point that France are a different side without Griezmann.
88'
WHAT A CHANCE FOR THE WINNER! Costil makes amends for his earlier error with a great point-blank range save. New arrival Pepe and Digne both threw themselves at a loose ball inside the six-yard area, and it was directed towards goal, but the keeper blocked it!
86'
V. Angban enters the game and replaces S. Dié.
N. Pépé enters the game and replaces M. Gradel.
Pepe has been brought on for Gradel.
Angban is also given a late run out in place of Die.
85'
Ivory Coast have some defending to do as France win a free-kick on the right-hand side of the pitch. However, Fekir's delivery is dreadful, headed clear with some ease by the first defender at the near post.
82'
Both sides are taking less risks on the ball as we approach the end of the game. A draw would be the fairest result in a match that has admittedly been far from pleasing on the eyes.
80'
Around 10 minutes to go here, and for the first time in this match, we hear the drums from the Ivory Coast fans. Well, it's actually just one determined individual in the stands banging away but we love it all the same.
78'
T. Lemar enters the game and replaces A. Rabiot.
Rabiot was challenged and stayed on the ground. Deschamps decides that he'd rather substitute him than send on the physios, and Lemar is introduced.
76'
There's a moment of panic in the Ivory Coast defence as Kone clears the ball right to Payet at the top of the box, but the West Ham man is swarmed as he tries to wriggle into space for a shot.
73'
Just over a quarter of an hour to go here in Lens and the opening goal is still nowhere in sight. It's been a typical international friendly in many ways, with neither team really getting up to full speed.
71'
DOWN THE THROAT OF THE KEEPER! Costil is called into action again as Doukore takes aim from long range, but the shot is right down the middle. Still, encouraging to see the African side take some initiative.
Minute
Description
69'
S. Corchia enters the game and replaces D. Sidibé.
Sidibe's night is at an end and Deschamps sends on Corchia in his place.
You get the sense that the visitors are gaining a little confidence as the second half progresses. They're hoping for a mistake to creep into France's defence, and they very nearly got it with that last mishap by Costil.
68'
G. Sio enters the game and replaces C. Doukouré.
I. Diomandé enters the game and replaces C. Doukouré.
BIG CHANCE THERE FOR THE VISITORS! Kodjia launches a long one towards the edge of the box, and Costil strides out to clear it. However, he doesn't get it far enough and Kalou nearly flicks it into an unguarded net!
63'
O. Giroud enters the game and replaces K. Gameiro.
Giroud has been summoned from the bench to replace Gameiro. The Arsenal man's aerial presence is exactly the type of option that could crack the stubborn Ivory Coast defence.
61'
WHAT A CHANCE! Payet drifts out to the left-hand side to link with Digne, and the latter manages to get a cross into the six-yard area that is met by Sissoko's head, but he fails to find the target! Should have tested the keeper at the very least.
59'
It's been a choppy second half with some niggling fouls breaking up the tempo of the game. France have been the better side but still haven't come genuinely close to opening the scoring.
57'
For the first time in this game, Gbohouo is far from convincing off his line. He can't get in front of Rabiot to get to Payet's delivery, but luckily for him, no one in Blue is able to pounce on that mistake.
54'
Serey Die has been walking a tightrope all game since his early yellow card, and he takes a risk by bringing down Sidibe on the touchline. The referee had a long look at that but the Ivory Coast man escapes.
52'
Rabiot does well to prevent Gradel from making a breakthrough. The atmosphere has gone a little flat in the stadium but it's bound to pick back up as some fans are late making their way back to their seats from the half-time break.
50'
France have started the second period like they did the first, dominating the ball and finding some convincing gaps in the final third. However, their end product has let them down once again.
48'
THAT COULD HAVE GONE ANYWHERE! Traore drives infield and slides the ball to Fekir, who turns quickly inside the area and lets fly. The shot takes a deflection off a sliding defender that doesn't end up sneaking past the keeper!
46'
M. Sissoko enters the game and replaces P. Pogba.
L. Koscielny enters the game and replaces R. Varane.
N. Fekir enters the game and replaces O. Dembélé.
Pogba will be rested for the second half as Sissoko comes on in his place.
Koscielny is introduced for Varane.
A third change from Deschamps as Dembele heads off for Fekir.
And we're back!
44'
Kone concedes a corner after a shot from Dembele, but Gbohouo is there to catch the resulting delivery. Down at the other end, Kessie picks up possession, but is fouled by Dembele. The free-kick comes to nothing.
42'
Ivory Coast's main avenue of attack has been to pump balls into the penalty area, but France have been more or less repelling the initial effort. If the visitors can get to the rebounds a little quicker then they might be in business.
39'
Despite he genuine lack of chances in the first half, you get the sense that there will still be a few goals in this game if it keeps going like this. The defending has not been the greatest.
37'
SAVED AGAIN! Gbohouo has been a busy man in the first half, but he hasn't really been put under a stern examination by any one France attack. Pogba hammers a loose ball on target from 25 yards, but it's right down the throat of the keeper.
35'
Ivory Coast develop a good move down the left that sees Traore hook a cross to the back post. Gradel is there and with Rami slack on his marking, he has the space to lash a half-volley that doesn't find the target.
33'
Despite France's dominance of the ball, they haven't looked completely at ease at the back. There's a lot of spacing inside the area when Ivory Coast get a cross in, which is not what you want to hear as the defensive team.
31'
Gamiero is hounded by the defence and loses the ball, but Sidibe is there to pick up the pieces and tee up Dembele for a strike. However, it lacks any sort of power and is sent into the arms of the keeper.
29'
You get the sense that Ivory Coast are starting to figure out France a bit. The home side are back dominating the ball but they're not finding the space that was there earlier in the match.
27'
SCRAMBLE! France just can't sort out their feet at the right moment. They drive the ball down the centre into the box but as the defence collapses around them, it all becomes muddled in the area before Gbohouo smothers it!
25'
After one or two long balls over the top nearly catch the Ivorian defence undermanned, they try to calm things down by maintaining possession and playing out of the back. Goalless here in Lens.
23'
A commanding header from Sidibe gets rid of a dangerous cross. Ivory Coast are just trying to figure out how exactly to break down the opposition, as their final ball has lacked much purpose.
21'
It's a far more even game now than the first 10 minutes or so, although the space in front and behind the Ivory Coast back four is a little worrying. No Griezmann, but France still have the pace to exploit those gaps.
18'
Gbohouo has shown good presence in his box to come off his line when needed, and he gets a strong hand to Digne's cross from the left-hand side, putting Dembele off just when he looked ready to convert.
16'
Better football from Ivory Coast in the last few minutes, although they have to be careful as they commit too many men forward and nearly let Pogba in on the counter, but are bailed out by a narrow offside.
14'
Varane, who's captaining the French side tonight on his return to Lens, gets across to the near side to make a good sliding challenge to prevent Kodija from bursting through towards the byline.
12'
FLAG UP! Some substandard defending from Varane presents Kodjia with the ball from the edge of the area, and he unleashes a ferocious effort that cannons off the post. Kalou tucks the rebound in, but he was miles offside.
10'
SIDE NETTING! Gameiro had the fans off their seats for a second when he slashed a vicious half-volley towards goal, but it rippled the wrong side of the goal! Let-off for the visiting side.
8'
First glimpse at a chance there for the home side as a cross into the area is asking a little too much of Gameiro, and Gbohouo can come off his line to claim it. Ivory Coast are struggling to get out of their own half.
6'
France are dominating the ball, and they're finding a lot of room between the Ivory Coast midfield and defensive lines. With Gameiro dropping deep and linking with Payet, it's looking very dangerous.
4'
S. Dié gets yellow.
Payet has seen a fair bit of the ball in the early goings here, and it's already shaping up to be an interesting battle with Die - who has just handicapped himself with a bad foul on the West Ham man that leads to a yellow.
Antoine Griezmann picked up an injury against Sweden and will miss out, while Benoit Costil replaces Hugo Lloris in goal. Adrien Rabiot and Osumane Dembele also get starts against the African opponents.
Hello and welcome to our live commentary of the international friendly between France and Ivory Coast. Both sides came through their World Cup qualifiers last week unbeaten but take a break from competitive action this evening.
Eric Bailly, Gervinho, Romaric and Arthur Boka headline the list of absentees for Ivory Coast. Salomon Kalou leads the line for the visitors, while Serge Aurier, Max-Alain Gradel and Adama Traore fill out a fairly recognisable XI.
Ivory Coast drew 0-0 with Morocco last time out to make it four points from two games in their group, which they lead by two points. With only the group winners qualifying for Russia, there's little room for error in the African section.
France came from behind to defeat Sweden 2-1 and maintain their lead atop Group A in the UEFA World Cup qualifying section. They're three points clear of nearest challengers the Netherlands and look on course for a place at Russia 2018.
And that will do it for the first half, with no goals between France and Ivory Coast here in Lens. Chances have come at something of a premium, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested. The end product could definitely improve, but it's still been an absorbing game. Stay tuned for the restart soon.
Boos rain down from the stands as France fail to break down Ivory Coast in a stalemate. It's the second straight goalless draw for the African side, who could have stole it late on through Pepe. Underwhelming result for the hosts, but that's what friendlies are for. That's all from us, thanks for tuning in!
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