The national football team of Moldova suffered the third defeat this year, but managed to score the first goal. Moldova lost to former Africa Cup of Nations champion Ivory Coast 1-2 in Beauvais. Ivory Coast scored the two goals in the first half of the game, IPN reports.

Top scorer of the championship of Switzerland Roger Assale opened the score in the 29th minute after fullback Veaceslav Posmac made a mistake. Striker Nicolas Pepe widened the difference. After the break, Moldova scored in the 59th minute through Artur Ionita. The halfback of Cagliari was close to drawing, but his kick from outside the field missed the goal.

“I’m not satisfied with the play of some of the footballers in the first half. Not Ivory Coast scored. We scored ourselves these goals. The team showed character at least in the second half,” Moldova manager Alexandru Spiridon told a news conference.