France U21s cruised into the UEFA Under-21 European Championships quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Poland U21s.
Three first-half strikes, including two in 90 seconds, put Gerald Baticle’s team in the driving seat, easing any lingering doubts over their place in the knockout stages.
France finished second in Group C behind Portugal on goal difference, whilst Poland crashed out without a single point to show for their efforts.
Match Events
French players line up before kick off. (Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
France made nine changes from the side that snuck past Georgia, with only Kiliann Sildillia and Lucien Agoume retaining their places. Poland made five changes following their heavy defeat to Portugal. Kacper Trelowski replaced the captain, Kacper Tobias, in goal.
The French made a positive start to the game, working the ball with pace and purpose through the lines. Loum Tchaouna worked the goalkeeper with a low drive inside three minutes before a neat team move picked out Thierno Barry inside the box, though his touch ran through into the arms of Trelowski.
Frenchman Baticle would have demanded a front-footed start from his side with Mathys Tel’s penalty against Georgia their only first-half goal in their opening two games. He was certainly heard inside 20 minutes as they scored two goals in immediate succession.
A bouncing attempt looked fairly routine for Trelowski in the Poland goal, but some poor handling led to the ball dropping right in the danger zone. Nathan Zeze looped his effort over the keeper, and with the help of the post, it found the net.
Things got even better for the 2023 quarter-finalists when they twice dispossessed the Poles of the ball from the restart. Djaoui Cisse drove right through the heart of Adam Mejewski’s team before unleashing a fierce strike that ripped into the top corner. Two goals in 90 seconds, and France were firmly in control.
Poland had shown better defensive organisation in the early stages than they mustered in their crushing defeat to Portugal, but the quick-fire double unsettled them. Barry drove towards the byline before being shrugged off the ball, and moments later, a teasing cross evaded everybody in blue.
Further damage continued as the game approached the 30th minute, with Cisse again the man delivering the fatal blow. Baticle’s side worked the ball from right to left around the edge of the box before the midfielder aimed, this time on his left foot, and the shot proved too strong for the sprawling Trelowski.
Poland were not for lying down, however, launching their siege with 10 minutes left in the half.
Kajetan Szymt dispatched an effort from range, which tested Obed Nkambadio for the first time. Shortly after, Szmyt was involved once again as Poland pinched the ball deep into French territory, and the resulting clearance ricocheted up off a white shirt before darting over the bar.
The half closed with a flurry of efforts at either end. Kacper Kozlowski found himself in a threatening area but dragged the ball wide of the post. The French counter led to Barry stinging the palms of Trelowski, with the Rakow Czestochowa keeper gathering at the second time of asking.
France continued to show their attacking intent despite their healthy lead as the match got underway for the second half. Burnley-bound Tchaouna combined down the right with Sildillia and looked to place the ball into the far corner, but a lunging white shirt diverted it behind.
Poland remained spirited, however, and some nimble footwork from Kozlowski created an opening. His cut back eventually made its way to the back post where Mariusz Fornalczyk crashed home, but a VAR review denied them a route back into the contest.
Confidence was growing amongst Majewski’s team, though, and it told on the hour when Ariel Mosor diverted Jakub Kaluzinski’s corner beyond Nkambadio.
The French keeper was called upon once more three minutes later when Fornalczyk was picked out again at the back post, though this time the Paris FC shot stopper was equal to it.
The switch in momentum prompted Baticle into a trio of changes, and they nearly made an instant impact when Noah Edjouma met Thierno Barry’s attempted shot, but the substitute placed wide of the target. Matthis Abline, also introduced from the bench, was inches from adding a fourth. He spun away from his man, only to see his shot come thundering back off the bar.
With Poland seeking to reduce the deficit and legs beginning to tire, the game started to open up. Edjouma’s dart down the right-hand side won France a corner, and the resulting delivery was headed home by Abline to add a French fourth.
The constant change in attack from both teams continued right until the last whistle, with last-ditch challenges at both ends and the post denying either side further goals.
Fitness the key for the French
Thierno Barry (in the blue kit for France) was a constant danger. (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Regardless of any assertions over the quality of the respective sides, it became clear as the game wore on that France’s fitness would prove crucial.
They were energetic and purposeful in their early use of the ball as their opponents sank into a deep block out of possession. As they raced into a first-half lead, spaces began to open up, and their danger in transition became evident.
Thierno Barry came into the team after his late winner against Georgia and certainly proved his worth. The Villarreal forward was a persistent handful for the Polish defenders and could have gotten his name on the scoresheet in Zilina.
With big stretches of grass appearing in the second period, the athleticism of the French was telling. In midfield areas, the long legs of Cisse and Diouf drove Baticle’s men forward.
The substitutes added a renewed sharpness and could have added more than the one goal they contributed. Felix Lemarechal, Wilson Odobert, and Noah Edjouma all demonstrated their offensive capabilities, combining more than once to carve out openings.
With a quarter-final looming, Baticle is left with a selection dilemma given the impressive attacking options available to him. Still, regardless of who starts the match, the pace and power available to him mean the French will surely finish games strong.
Player of the match
France’s Djaoui Cisse (in blue) and Kajetan Szmyt of Poland (in white) during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Group Stage match between France and Poland at MSK Zilina Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Zilina, Slovakia. | Photo: (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Djaoui Cisse almost picked himself with two incredible strikes in the opening half, which gave France a lead that proved too much.
The Rennes midfielder added two fine strikes to his goal catalogue but also caught the eye with other elements of his performance.
He was a driving force in the heart of midfield, powering over the half line relentlessly and battling defiantly, winning eight of his 10 duels.
Having begun the two previous matches amongst the substitutes, he seems on course to have a starting role in the quarter-final.