2023-11-28 16:14:37
It was once again very hot! Now accustomed to unbearable scenarios, the Bleuets qualified for the first final in their history since 2001 in the U17 World Cup by eliminating Mali (2-1) in the semi-finals this Tuesday… Not without trembling. After coming out on penalties against Senegal in the round of 16 (0-0, 5-3 tab) then by the smallest of margins against Uzbekistan (1-0), the French team was led by the score before turning the game around thanks to the expulsion of a Malian defender.
Much less dominant than in the quarterfinals against Uzbekistan (27 shots), Jean-Luc Vannuchi’s players suffered from the start against the Malian fury. In the cages, Paul Argney held the house for a long time (4th, 15th, 35th, 43rd) before finally making a fatal error just before returning from the locker room. On a harmless cross from Traoré on the left side, the young Le Havre goalkeeper punched the ball into the feet of Ibrahim Diarra who just had to push the ball into the back of the net (0-1, 45th + 4). It only took this one small goal to shake the Bleuets, imperial in defense since their entry into the competition, but who had just conceded their one and only goal of the competition.
Returning from the locker room, the Bleuets continued to flow and almost conceded the break with a flat foot strike from the first scorer Diarra, well served behind, who fled the target. The chance had passed for Mali. On a twist of fate and a poorly controlled tackle in the 52nd minute, Souleymane Sanogo left his team at 10 against 11 by receiving a well-deserved red card after his horrible sole on Aymen Sadi, the French left back.
Saved by the bar in the 89th
The French did not wait a single second to raise their heads. On the free kick that followed, Ismael Bouneb’s cross found the head of Yvann Titti, all alone at the penalty point who perfectly converted the offering to bring the score back into line (1-1). 13 minutes later, it was again the number 10 of the Bleuets who made the difference from a set piece, but all alone like a grown-up. After a foul on Lambourde at 20 meters in front of the cages, the young attacking midfielder from Valenciennes perfectly curled his right foot on the ground on the goalkeeper’s side to give his team the advantage 20 minutes from the end of regulation time (2-1, 69th ).
The end of the match turned into an attack-defense with a disorganized Mali in front, and a France team trembling in defense but sharp on the counterattack. Lambourde missed the opportunity to end the debates in the 72nd minute by completely finishing his duel alone against the Malian goalkeeper. In the process, Paul Argney once again gave his partners a big scare by missing another outing, but this time without consequences.
IT’S DONE !!! ????
BLUEBERRIES ARE ???????? ???????????????????????? OF THE ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ????????
???????? 2-1 ???????? pic.twitter.com/bF63sMmdF5
— FFF (@FFF) November 28, 2023
At the very end of regulation time, the Bleuets goalkeeper continued to alternate hot and cold by magnificently deflecting a Macalou mine from a free kick onto his bar. After a still stifling 13 minutes of stoppage time, the Bleuets were (finally) able to exult. They now have a meeting with Germany, winner of Argentina on penalties (3-3, 4-2 tab).
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