The lights are about to go up at Northwest Stadium in Maryland as France and Colombia wrap up their high-stakes US tour. This isn’t just a friendly; it’s a final dress rehearsal before the 2026 World Cup circus kicks off in June. France comes in red-hot after dismantling Brazil, while Colombia is nursing a bruised ego following a narrow slip-up against Croatia.
France: The Mbappe Milestone Watch
All eyes are on Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid talisman is sitting on 56 international goals, just one shy of Olivier Giroud’s all-time French record. Given his current form—and the way he shredded Brazil’s backline last week—nobody is betting against him making history tonight.
Didier Deschamps has an “embarrassment of riches” to play with. Even with rotation expected, a bench featuring the likes of Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki is enough to make any manager envious. They’ve won seven of their last eight, and the tactical fluidity they’ve shown lately makes them the heavy favorites to dominate the tempo.
Colombia: The Dark Horse Hitting Back
Don’t sleep on Los Cafeteros. Before that 2-1 loss to Croatia, Nestor Lorenzo had this team on a year-long unbeaten streak. Colombia’s backbone is a mix of veteran savvy and elite speed. James Rodriguez is still pulling the strings from midfield, while Luis Diaz remains one of the most terrifying transitions threats in world football.
The Colombians have a knack for being “giant killers,” and their 3-2 victory over France back in 2018 is still fresh in the memory of the traveling fans. They’ll look to exploit any defensive gaps left by France’s high-pressing fullbacks.
Match Info & Predicted Lineups
• Venue: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
• Kick-off: 3:00 PM ET / 10:00 PM EAT
• Where to Watch: Peacock (En Español), Telemundo
Betting Outlook: Goals on the Menu
If you’re looking at the odds, the smart money is on the scoreboard being busy.
• Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Both sides have elite attacking units and have been shaky at the back in recent friendlies.
• Over 2.5 Goals: France’s depth and Mbappe’s record-chase suggest a high-scoring affair.
• Prediction: Colombia 1 – 3 France.
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