South Africa fall to late France strike in U-20 World Cup opener
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South Africa began their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to France in Rancagua, Chile despite a spirited performance from the African champions in Monday night's game.
A late strike from Lucas Michal proved decisive for the French, who had earlier taken the lead through Anthony Bermont before Jody Ahshene’s penalty brought South Africa level in the first half.
Bernard Diomede’s side started strongly, with Tadjidine Mmadi and Mayssam Benama both going close, before Bermont broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, drilling low past the South African goalkeeper.
The response from the Amajita was immediate, Kutlwano Letlhaku weaving into the box and drawing a foul from Elyaz Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane. Ahshene held his nerve to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot on 33 minutes.
The game looked set for a draw until Michal struck with ten minutes remaining, cutting inside from the edge of the area before firing into the bottom corner to break South African hearts.
Despite the defeat, South Africa showed flashes of the quality that crowned them African champions earlier this year, and they will take confidence into their next Group E fixtures against USA and New Caledonia.
French goalscorer Bermont said: “It’s a lot of pride, a lot of happiness. We knew we had to start the competition well because there are only three group matches, so it was important to start with a victory.”
Coach Diomede added: “Our goal was to succeed in this first match with a victory. We found a collective spirit. I am very proud and very happy with the players and the staff.”
For South Africa, it was another World Cup goal from the penalty spot, continuing a trend that dates back to James Monyane’s equaliser against Portugal at Poland 2019.
