France secured their place in the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship after edging past Belgium 3-2 in a gripping semi-final encounter on Thursday evening in Elbasan, Albania.
In a match filled with high-quality football and dramatic momentum shifts, it was France who ultimately prevailed, booking their spot in the tournament’s final where they will face either Portugal or defending champions Italy.
The Young Devils of Belgium began the match with composure and determination, resisting early French pressure before taking control of the tempo.
Jesse Bisuwu was the first to test French goalkeeper Ilan Jourdren in the fifth minute, and alongside Noah Fernandez, kept the French defence on high alert for much of the first half.
Belgium’s attacking intent produced several near-misses, with Jourdren pulling off a pair of crucial saves—one from a powerful Fernandez strike in the 19th minute and another from a long-range Bisuwu attempt in the 35th.
Despite Belgium’s dominance in possession and territory, it was France who broke the deadlock against the run of play.
In the 42nd minute, French captain Abdoulaye Camara stunned the Belgians by converting his side’s first shot on target to put France 1-0 ahead.
However, just moments later, Camara’s handball inside the box offered Belgium a lifeline. Fernandez stepped up and confidently buried the resulting penalty to restore parity at 1-1 just before halftime.
The second half began in much the same fashion, with Belgium continuing to probe the French defence. Bisuwu came close again in the 49th minute, but his effort lacked the accuracy needed to trouble Jourdren.
However, Belgium’s defensive frailties soon became apparent. Within a chaotic five-minute spell, France turned the tide.
Rudy Matondo capitalised on slack defending in the 50th minute to restore France’s lead. Just four minutes later, Djyilian N’Guessan extended the advantage to 3-1, punishing the Belgian backline once more.
Belgium refused to go down without a fight. Substitute Axl Wins reignited hopes with a well-struck free kick in the 79th minute that sowed panic in the French penalty area and brought the score to 3-2.
The Young Devils pushed hard in the final minutes, but France remained resolute, with Jourdren continuing to be a reliable last line of defence.
The result marks the end of a promising campaign for Belgium’s Under-17 side, who had impressed throughout the tournament with their fluid attacking play and technical quality.
France, meanwhile, advance to the final seeking to claim the European title, with either Portugal or Italy awaiting them in what promises to be an enthralling showdown.
Kickoff for the final is scheduled for Sunday, as Les Bleuets aim to cap off their impressive run with silverware.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
