France U21 edge Uzbekistan in final Euro warm-up

France’s U21s secured a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in Orléans on Wednesday evening, wrapping up their preparations for the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 (11-28 June). Wilson Odobert’s late winner ensured a positive result for Gérald Baticle’s side, who had earlier let a first-half lead slip.

The match started brightly for the Bleuets, who were awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark. Johann Lepenant was brought down on the edge of the area, and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya (Eintracht Frankfurt) coolly converted the spot-kick for his first goal at U21 level (31’). Moments earlier, Bahoya had already been involved in some promising attacks alongside Matthis Abline (FC Nantes).

Uzbekistan were initially well-organised and pressed high, but France were the more dangerous side going forward. The visitors thought they had earned a penalty late in the first half, but referee Samuel Barrott overturned his initial decision after consulting VAR.

The second half began with a setback for France, as Nodirek Abdurazzokov beat goalkeeper Guillaume Restes (Toulouse FC) from long range with a deflected effort (47’). The hosts responded by making a raft of changes just past the hour mark, introducing Mathys Tel (Tottenham), Wilson Odobert (Tottenham), Thierno Barry (FC Lorient), and Loum Tchaouna (Lazio), among others.

The substitutions paid off. France found renewed energy and pinned Uzbekistan back. Tel came close to scoring in the 89th minute, denied at close range after a slick attacking move. Just ten minutes earlier, Odobert struck what proved to be the winner (79’) — a low drive that evaded several defenders and nestled into the bottom corner.

In goal, Restes was called into action late on, producing a fine reflex save to deny a tight-angle strike from Makhamadjonov (84’), preserving the narrow lead.

Despite a few scares, it was a positive evening overall for France, with strong individual performances, especially from Ligue 1 talents like Lepenant (OL), Diouf (RC Lens), and Restes.

France kick off their UEFA Euro U21 campaign on June 11, with hopes high after a productive build-up.

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