France U-21s: Espoirs top group after nervy win over Faroes
On a brisk night in Grenoble, a first-half penalty from Mathys Tel was enough to power France's U-21s past the Faroe Islands, allowing them to end the calendar year atop their qualifying group.
Belocian, Meïté included from the off
After needing to come from behind against Switzerland on Friday, Gérard Baticle's side needed a win to retake top spot in Group C. To do this, the manager made a rash of changes, led by the Stade Rennais duo of Januël Belocian and Mohamed Meïté coming into the starting lineup, while PSG's Senny Mayulu and their club teammate, Djaoui Cissé, were dropped as Baticle kept only three players from Friday's eleven.
From the off, France had the best of the match against the overmatched Faroese, but former Lorient striker Eli Junior Kroupi could only hit the post (7') before being denied by the visitors' keeper midway through the half. The Faroes' resistance would eventually be broken, though, and it was Meïté who made the difference with superb hold-up play to earn a penalty (37'). Mathys Tel, wearing the captain's armband, stepped up and cooly slotted the ball home after a stuttering run-up, giving France a lead they would take into the break.
It’s over in Grenoble. A 1-0 victory against the Faroe Islands! Les Bleuets take first place in their group 🇫🇷🔝
The Euro U21 qualifiers continue next March 🙌 pic.twitter.com/InEX6HpKBH— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 17, 2025
A second half in the balance
Into the second half, despite having taken the lead, France's focus seemed to drop even with the further introduction of players from Ligue 1 McDonald's, including Dayann Méthalie (Toulouse), Mayulu and Lucas Michel (AS Monaco). Tel would come close with an effort from range (60'), but it was nearly an embrrassing evening for Les Espoirs as a Faroese substitute had a free header in the last minute of normal time at a corner. Despite having had good purchase on it, it flashed just wide of Ewen Jaouen's far post, and France could breathe a sigh of relief.
Next up for the team in March are a further two matches in this group, where they have two games in hand, against Iceland and Luxembourg. Speaking post-match, Baticle was glad of the win, but emphasized he wanted more from his young side, saying, "We were lacking efficiency and we will have to work to show more in the future. It is never easy to face a compact and well-organized block but we must have more technicality and movement to cause more problems. We have a quality squad with which we must be demanding in what we produce."
