France U-21s held in Euros qualifier

Despite a goal from former FC Lorient forward Eli Junior Kroupi, France's U-21s were held by Switzerland in a Euros qualifier.

Les Éspoirs held for the first time

Les Éspoirs have been in blistering form at the start of their European Championship qualifying campaign. Gérald Baticle's side have been the Faroe Islands (6-0) and Estonia (6-1) by an aggregate score of 12-1. Whilst they do not currently top their group, they have games in hand and could have gone top with a win over Switzerland on Friday night.

However, it wasn't to be for Baticle's Bleuets. They started the game slowly. There were plenty of chances for the Swiss in the first half. Ewen Jaouen, the replacement for Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, who came off in the seventh minute with a head injury, was busy in the first 45 minutes, and he was ultimately beaten by Alessandro Vogt, who met Noah Streit's ball across the box (38').

Baticle's subs reap rewards after Jaouen's heroics

Reims' Jaouen prevented Les Éspoirs from falling further behind before the break, as he kept out Liam Chipperfield's effort (45+3). The Swiss continued to push for the goal that would provide them with comfort, and Marc Giger (54') saw an effort saved. And Jaouen's efforts between the sticks were rewarded soon after.

The turning point came in the form of Baticle's intervention. Former Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, PSG playmaker Senny Mayulu, and Rennes' Djaoui Cissé all came off, and Sael Kumbedi, former Monaco player Saimon Bouabré, and former Merlu Kroupi came on. It was the latter that saved France's U-21s. The Bournemouth forward feigned to curl to the far post but then caught the Switzerland goalkeeper out by putting it in the near post (66'). Kroupi remains in excellent form at international level, having also scored a brace against Estonia.

France then pushed for a winner and almost found it when former Troyes forward Wilson Odobert, now at Tottenham, hit the post (68'). Les Bleuets then had three late chances to take all three points and go top of the table. Two fell to former Monégasque Bouabré, now at Neom SC (80', 88'), whilst another fell to Kroupi (82'), however, Swiss shot-stopper Silas Huber was up to the task on each occasion.

Les Éspoirs go top, if...

In a game that swung drastically from one side to the other, both sides had to settle for just one point. Nonetheless, Les Éspoirs remain in a very strong position. Whilst currently fourth, they are just two points behind leaders Faroe Islands, on whom they have two games in hand. They also have a game in hand on second-placed Switzerland, whom they trail by one point.

Next up for Baticle's side is a fixture against the Faroe Islands on Monday, where a win could take them top of the table, if results elsewhere go their way.

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