U-21 Euros: Merlin helps lead comeback win for France!
Despite trailing twice against their Danish counterparts, France stormed to a comeback 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the U-21 Euros, earning them a place against Germany in Wednesday's quarterfinal. Read more in our recap here:
Behind the 8-ball early
Manager Gérard Baticle, hoping to see his side advance to the semifinals for just the second time in twenty years, chose no less than seven Ligue 1 McDonald's youngsters, headlined by Stade Rennais midfielder Djaoui Cissé, who was instrumental in the team's progress from the group stage with a double against Poland, and a defence featuring Ismaël Doukouré (RC Strasbourg), Quentin Merlin (Olympique de Marseille) and Chrislain Matsima (AS Monaco). From the off, Les Espoirs did well to control possession, and had the first big chance of the match with Mathys Tel denied on ten minutes by a sublime save from the Danish 'keeper.
While an opener from France looked imminent, it would be Denmark who would break the deadlock, as Clement Bischoff pounced on a loose pass out of the French back line to give his side the lead. Midway through the half, Cissé was inches from an equalizer, only to see it diverted wide for a corner. Undeterred, Baticle's men continued to press for an equalizer, with Tel again denied by a strong save on 37'. Just before the break, it would be the inevitable Cissé who would provide it, netting after a surging run to leave the match level at a goal apiece.
✅ Dictated the rhythm
✅ Scored a fantastic solo effort
Djaoui Cisse 🇫🇷👏#U21POTM | #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/J20GfLELsb— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 22, 2025
Two minutes, two goals
France would be stunned after the restart, though, with Denmark scoring from a free kick just four minutes into the second half. From there, the Danes continued to have the upper hand, but failed to capitalize on it. Midway through the half, as they had in the first, France began to assert themselves, and were denied going level thanks to an intervention from VAR. That growing into the match would finally tell six minutes from time, as Merlin arrowed a fine strike into the top corner to level the match.
The bit between their teeth, a winner wasn't long in coming, either. Tel, so impressive in the first half, but without a goal to show for his efforts, took a layoff from substitute Matthis Abline (FC Nantes) and finished with a powerful effort to make it 3-2. Speaking post-match, Djaoui underscored that the key to the match was Les Espoirs' never-say die attitude, saying, "It was a tough game for us. We didn't manage to attack. When they were leading, they defended well. But we're a team that doesn't give up. Even if we're beaten, we always come back at the end." With another challenging encounter against their German counterparts on the horizon, that self-belief will once again be called upon in the semifinals.
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