Kessie Knocks Referee to Ground Mistaking Him for Player

The bizarre incident occurred at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes during a 2026 World Cup warm-up match won 2-1 by Ivory Coast. While France initially controlled the game with an early goal, attention shifted to Kessie just before halftime.

The Ivorian midfielder appeared to confuse the referee with a French player, sending him crashing to the turf in a moment that will be replayed frequently.