#ngolo-kante

#ngolo-kante

The hosts took the lead after just 12 minutes at Alinma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City, with Kante teeing up Aouar for a volley in the box, and the Algerian made no mistake with his volley on the turn. Al-Okhdood goalkeeper Samuel Portugal was determined to keep the scoreline at 1-0 heading into the break, keeping out a long-range effort from Danilo Pereira before denying Karim Benzema and Mahamadou Doumbia in quick succession.

Kante, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, has not appeared for France since November 2024, in a 0-0 draw with Israel in the Nations League. It is not the 34-year-old's first long lay-off, having been absent from the squad for two years prior to returning for Euro 2024, when he helped the team to the semi-finals. And he is joined in the squad by Kolo Muani, who has missed the last two camps,