MATCH REPORT | France U20 1-1 Mali U20 (4-5 pens.) – Tidiam Gomis on target as Les Bleuets top Group A despite penalty defeat | OneFootball

France U20 were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Mali side in Avignon on Thursday evening before ultimately falling 5-4 in the penalty shootout. The result sees Les Bleuets miss the chance to secure qualification from Group A with a game to spare, but they remain top of the group heading into the final round of fixtures.

The match, played under sweltering heat at the Parc des Sports, marked France’s second appearance in the Maurice Revello Tournament after an opening 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia. Bernard Diomède’s men were looking to build momentum ahead of Monday’s final group game, while Mali were in search of their first points of the competition.

Following a win tight win over Saudi Arabia (2-1) during the opening match of the Tournoi Maurice Revello, Les Bleuets had to continue their path against a Mali side that were looking to goal level on points in Group B to set up a grand-stand finish in the final group fixtures set to be played early next week.

An open beginning to proceedings in Avignon saw Tidiam Gomis given the first chance to open the scoring, but the RB Leipzig man’s strike was held well by Mali keeper Emile Doucouré. He then almost gifted PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye a chance to score on the angle only seconds later when attempting to pass out the back, but the Parisian could only find the side netting with his effort.

Mali go ahead thanks to slick finish from Rennes’ Diakikté

But it was Mali who opened the scoring when Stade Rennais striker Goassou Diakité slipped on through in the box and slotted underneath Mirbach (16′). After a period where Mali flowed full of confidence and looked to trouble the French defence on the counter-attack, Les Bleuets managed to find a way back into the game via Leipzig’s Tidiam Gomis, who collected the ball, and shifted his body after some great pressing work and struck low past Doucouré (38′).

Monaco’s Saïmon Bouabré and Steve Ngoura were called on for Les Bleuets during the second half, and the pair made an instant impact offensively. Bouabré’s mazy run led to a foul on the edge of the box, and the ASM midfielder struck the bar with the following looped freekick. Mali’s Diakité proved even more trouble in the second half with some driving runs down the left side, his thrashed strike on goal energised the Mali faithful in Avignon, but Mirbach was second to it with a solid stop. The Metz shot stopper had to be called on once again with a quick reflex save from close range as Mali piled on the pressure as the clock reached the final quarter-hour.

A huge chance came late on when Cheick Mohamed Doumbia was found inside the box for Mali, but the Rodez forward would blast his strike over the crossbar. Steve Ngoura’s low strike had to be parried away by Doucouré before the referee would blow for the final whistle. The shootout was tense and decisive – and it was Mali who proved more clinical from the spot, edging the shootout 5-4 to claim the bonus point.

Despite the result, France remain top of Group A thanks to their earlier win. They now face Panama on Monday (17:30 CEST) in Aubagne in their final group fixture, knowing a win would secure a spot in the knockout rounds. Mali, meanwhile, take on Saudi Arabia earlier the same day (14:00 CEST) at the same venue.GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from Avignon