Lucas Michal Strike Sinks SA in U-20 World Cup Thriller
France secured a vital opening victory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, edging out a resilient South Africa side 2-1 in a tense Group E encounter at Estadio El Teniente on Monday night. A late strike from substitute Lucas Michal proved the difference, breaking the hearts of the African champions who had battled back bravely.
The French, nicknamed Les Bleuets, started the match with their trademark technical control, but found the Amajita defense well-organized and difficult to break down. After several speculative efforts, the deadlock was finally broken in the 25th minute.
Forward Anthony Bermont was the beneficiary of a lapse in concentration from the South African defense, pouncing on a turnover deep in the Amajita half to fire a low, right-footed shot past goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe and into the net.
South Africa’s response was swift and emphatic. Just eight minutes later, a moment of individual brilliance from forward Kutlwano Letlhaku saw him weave into the box, where he was tripped by French defender Elyaz Zidane (son of Zinedine Zidane). The referee pointed to the spot. Midfielder Jody Ah Shene stepped up and coolly converted the 33rd-minute penalty, sending the French keeper the wrong way to level the scores at 1-1.
The equaliser injected renewed energy into the South Africans, who managed to match the French intensity for the remainder of the first half and well into the second. Both sides traded chances, with Amajita creating half-chances on the break, looking increasingly likely to snatch a point, if not all three.
However, the quality of the French substitutes ultimately told. With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Lucas Michal sealed the win in the 80th minute. Receiving the ball near the edge of the area, the Monaco youngster cut inside with dazzling footwork before unleashing a precise low strike that found the far corner of the goal, restoring France’s lead at 2-1.
Despite a spirited, last-ditch effort from the Amajita, France held on through a nervy few minutes of stoppage time to secure the win.
French coach Bernard Diomède expressed his satisfaction after the match, stating, “Our goal was to succeed in this first match with a victory. We found a collective spirit. I am very proud and very happy with the players.”
The result puts France in a strong position in Group E, with their next challenge coming against the USA. Meanwhile, South Africa’s U-20 side, despite the defeat, can take confidence from their resilience against a technically superior side and will now regroup for their crucial upcoming fixture against New Caledonia.
