France U21 showcased their formidable attacking prowess and championship aspirations with a resounding 4-1 victory over Poland U21 in their final UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group C match. The convincing win, highlighted by a sensational brace from midfielder Djaoui Cisse, ensured Les Bleuets’ progression to the quarter-finals, reaffirming their status as a strong contender in the tournament.
Gerald Baticle’s side delivered a performance brimming with pace and purpose, especially in a dominant first half that effectively sealed their fate in the competition. For Poland, the defeat marked a disappointing end to their Euro U21 campaign, as they exited the tournament without registering a single point.
First Half: A French Blitz Secures Early Control
France wasted no time in asserting their authority, demonstrating their intent from the opening whistle. Loum Tchaouna tested the Polish goalkeeper Kacper Trelowski with a low drive inside the first three minutes, setting the tone for what was to come.
The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when Nathan Zeze capitalized on a goalkeeping error, heading home a rebound that bounced off the underside of the crossbar. Just 90 seconds later, France doubled their lead in spectacular fashion. Djaoui Cisse unleashed a fierce strike from distance that ripped into the top corner, leaving Trelowski with no chance.
Cisse wasn’t done there. Before the half-hour mark, in the 29th minute, the Stade Rennais midfielder netted his second of the evening with another powerful left-footed effort from range, further extending France’s lead to 3-0. This rapid-fire trio of goals showcased France’s clinical edge and left Poland reeling, firmly establishing Les Bleuets’ control of the contest heading into halftime.
Second Half: Poland’s Response and France’s Resilience
Despite the significant deficit, Poland emerged from the break with renewed determination, showing commendable spirit. They believed they had pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute through Mariusz Fornalczyk, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside, much to Poland’s frustration.
However, Poland’s perseverance was finally rewarded in the 61st minute when Ariel Mosor connected with Jakub Kaluzinski’s corner kick, heading powerfully into the net to give his side a legitimate goal. This sparked a period of increased pressure from Poland, as they sought to further reduce the deficit.
France, however, absorbed the pressure and managed the game effectively. Coach Gerald Baticle made a trio of changes, introducing fresh legs to maintain their attacking threat and defensive solidity. Substitutes Noah Edjouma and Matthis Abline both had chances to add to the scoreline, with Abline even rattling the crossbar.
The fourth goal for France eventually came in the 82nd minute, as Matthis Abline atoned for his earlier miss. From a corner delivery, Abline rose highest to power a header home, restoring France’s three-goal advantage and putting the result beyond any doubt. The match remained an open, end-to-end affair until the final whistle, with both teams continuing to create chances.
Tournament Outlook: France Eyes the Final, Poland Exits
The impressive 4-1 victory means France U21 finish second in Group C with 7 points, level on points with group winners Portugal U21 (who thrashed Georgia 4-0) but trailing on goal difference. This performance solidifies France’s position as one of the teams to watch in the knockout stages.
Poland U21, unfortunately, finishes at the bottom of Group C with zero points from their three matches (losses to Georgia, Portugal, and France). Despite moments of resilience in this final game, they were ultimately unable to compete with the top teams in their group and are now eliminated from the tournament.
France’s journey in the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship will now continue in the quarter-finals, where they are set to face the runners-up of Group D, likely to be Denmark U21 or Ukraine U21, on Sunday, June 22. With their blend of attacking flair and improved defensive solidity, Les Bleuets will be eyeing a deep run in the competition, with aspirations of reaching the final.
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