France, one of the great favorites for the title, debuted in the Under-21 Euro Cup with a quick and controversial victory over Italy (2-1) in the most fascinating match of this second round of the championship. The Frenchmen share the lead of group D with Switzerland, who also beat Norway 2-1.
France, with a line-up full of top-level European players such as Kalulu, Sevilla players Badé, Caqueret, Barcola, Kalimuendo and Gouiri, he showed strategy, speed and strength in the first stage of the match played in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and advanced for the first time.
It was a great goal that came from a low cross from Pierre Kalulu from the right Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes) led to the net with a wonderful cross-heel shot (22′).
But Italy knew how to slow the game down to get into the game and exploit its potential with actions from set pieces. He warned, before 1-0, on a corner kick Sandro Tonali it nodded Giorgio Scalvini (21′) and before the break, this time with a free-kick from Tonali right to the far post, Pietro Pellegri jumped unchallenged and put his header into the net (36′).
In the second half, Paolo Nicolato entered Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds) and Italy, led by an omnipresent Tonali, dominated even though he didn’t punch.
France take advantage of a serious mistake to win
On the contrary, France, who went through their worst moment, took advantage of a serious mistake by Destiny Udogie in their attempt to clear the ball, Bradley Barcola (Lyon) took it from them and pointed against Chevalier (62′).
Italy turned the tables in the final minutes and had chances to equalise. First Chevalier avoided it with a double save on the same play on point-blank shots from Samuele Ricci and Matteo Cancellieri (82′).
Badé saw the red and controversial final
Immediately after, the Sevilla player Loïc Badé saw direct red for bringing down a fleeing Gnonto as the last defender (83′) and, already in the lead, Italy had other clear-cut chances to secure a tie they more than deserved.
Cancelleri, with all the goal for him, he shot after a rebound from Chevalier (88′) and already in the discount came the controversy in a header from Raoul Bellanova that hit the post and Castello Lukeba seemed to have released the ball when he crossed. The line. The lack of goal technology and VAR saved France.
Switzerland beat Norway
Switzerland opened this group D by defeating Norway (1-2) despite the first surprise with the goal of striker Emil Ceïde (19′). before the break Dan Ndoye equalized (36′) and in the second half Kastriot Imeri (56′) decided.
Champion Germany drew against an Israel with ten
Germany, current champions, made their debut in the tournament on the wrong foot by drawing against Israel (1-1) and England is the team leading this group C after defeating the Czech Republic (0-2).
Under heavy rain in Kutaisi (Georgia), Germany failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority throughout the second half after Defender Eden Karzev, one of his best players, saw a second yellow for a foul in the 45th minute.
Peretz for two penalties, one to Moukoko
Germany went down against highly inspired goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who saved two penalties: the first to Youssoufa Moukoko, the star of Borussia Dortmund, in the 3rd minute and the second to Jessica Ngankam in the 80th minute.
Israel not only put the bolt, knowing the quality and power of the rival, but advanced by surprise a goal from striker Dor Turgeman in a great individual action (20′).
Just six minutes later, Germany equalized with a free kick from captain Angelo Stiller Yann Bisseck he deflected into the net with a precise header (26′). Only in this set piece did the Germans translate their dominance into a goal.
England follows logic
In other matches in Group C, England imposed logic in Batumi (Georgia) and beat the Czech Republic thanks to goals from Jacob Ramsey (47′) and substitute Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) in added time of the second half.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
