France U20 edge South Africa 2-1 to start the World Cup campaign in Chile
The France under-20s kicked off their World Cup journey in Chile with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa, a result that keeps Bernard Diomède’s side on track in Group E. Domination early on yielded a deserved lead, but the match remained level for long stretches as the South Africans fought back with resilience and accuracy from the spot.
The opening minutes set the tone: France pressed high and sought to control the tempo, while the South Africans looked to counter through pace and direct play. The deadlock finally broke thanks to Anthony Bermont, a Lens product who struck with a composed volley after a rebound off the post, giving the Bleuets a lead that reflected their territorial initiative.
Moments later, danger reappeared at the other end as Elyaz Zidane conceded a penalty that allowed Bafana Bafana to pull level. Jody AhShene converted on 33 minutes, compensating for a momentary lapse at the back and signaling a contest that France would have to navigate with patience and intensity.
As the first half drew to a close, the tempo increased. Lisandru Olmeta made key saves that kept the scoreline in France’s favor, including a crucial stop just before the break as South Africa pressed to reassert their momentum. The teams traded chances after the restart, with Michal, the Monaco striker, twice going close and then finding the net at about the 80th minute, finally breaking the deadlock after a determined run and finish.
The goal gave the French the initiative again, and while South Africa searched for an equalizer in the dying minutes, France managed to hold firm. There were tense moments late as the defense, led by captaincy and poise, refused to crumble in a match that could have swung either way in the final exchanges.
Key moments and standout performers
Multiple sequences defined the clash: Bermont’s early opener, a sharp penalty conversion for South Africa, and the late surge that culminated in Michal’s decisive strike. Olmeta’s interventions in the first half and again in the closing stages kept the French in a favorable position, while the midfield pairing tried to knit together a cohesive route to goal through the 90 minutes.
For Diomède’s squad, the midfield axis and the attacking duo of Bermont and Michal provided the creative spark, supported by a compact defense that withstood sustained pressure after going a goal behind. The match also highlighted tactical adjustments, with changes that injected fresh legs into the front line and ensured France remained a persistent threat in the second half.
A look ahead: USA await in a pivotal Group E clash
With the opener secured, France now faces a stern test against the United States on Thursday night at 22:00 local time. The Americans were publicly acknowledged by France’s coach as among the tournament favorites, setting up a high-stakes reunion of youth teams that will shape the group standings. France know they cannot afford to ease off; consistency will be crucial as the group’s other fixture featured New Caledonia in the same window later in the cycle.
National context and historical note
France’s U20 team is chasing a trophy that the country has won only once, in 2013, a squad that included future A-team stars such as Lucas Digne, Florian Thauvin, Paul Pogba, Alphonse Areola, and Samuel Umtiti. The 2023-25 cohort is looking to build a new chapter while drawing inspiration from that historic success, and today’s 2-1 victory over South Africa represents a meaningful start to a long campaign.
Team snapshots
The France lineup blended experience and fresh talent, with Lisandru Olmeta providing reliable goalkeeping and Anthony Bermont again proving his value in the final third. For South Africa, the Bafana Bafana showed resilience and counter-attacking organization, briefly halting the French march before succumbing to the late French pressure.
France-Afrique du Sud: 2-1. The Bleuets open their Mondial U20 campaign on a positive note, but the road remains long and demanding in Chile’s group stage.
