Saïmon Bouabré fires France into the U20 World Cup semi-finals

France’s U20 side continue their remarkable run in Chile. In the early hours of Monday morning, Les Bleuets defeated Norway 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the U20 World Cup — their first appearance at this stage since 2013, when a team led by Paul Pogba lifted the trophy.

The night belonged to Saïmon Bouabré, the former AS Monaco midfielder now playing for Neom SC in Saudi Arabia. Having joined the squad midway through the tournament, Bouabré made an instant impact, scoring both goals to send France through.

He opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a composed right-footed finish after controlling inside the box, before doubling the lead with a fine half-volley from Andréa Le Borgne’s headed assist in the 37th minute.

𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐈-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 ! 😍🔥

Les Bleuets se sont qualifiés pour le dernier carré de la 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐔𝟐𝟎 en éliminant la Norvège 🇳🇴 (2-1) en quarts de finale, cette nuit 🙌

🔜 Demi-finale face au Maroc 🇲🇦 mercredi ! pic.twitter.com/hTVDGQOZAQ
— FFF (@FFF) October 13, 2025

A semi-final against Morocco awaits

Norway pulled one back late on through Rasmus Holten (83’), but Bernard Diomède’s side held firm to secure their place in the last four. France will now meet Morocco in Wednesday’s semi-final (22:00 CET, live on La Chaîne L’Équipe), after the North Africans stunned the United States 3-1.

The other semi-final will see Argentina face Colombia in the early hours of Thursday morning (01:00 CET). Twelve years on from Pogba’s triumph, France’s new generation have the chance to write their own chapter in U20 World Cup history.