On the third day after the kick-off of the U-20 World Cup, on 30th September 2025, another thrilling and exciting match took place between South Africa and France, the countries with the most famous players, and one is known as a cartoon.
Setting the Stage
When the U-20 World Cup comes around, expectations run high for traditional youth powerhouses like France. Their youth system is rich with talent, and they always enter such tournaments not just to participate, but to compete seriously for the latter stages. South Africa’s U-20 side, commonly known as Amajita, on the other hand, are seen more as underdogs on the world stage. They’ve had success regionally and on the African continent, but matches vs European sides with deeper resources and more competitive youth leagues are rare tests of how far they’ve come.
This match was the opening group game for both teams in Group E, meaning first impressions would matter. A win gives momentum, builds confidence; for South Africa, getting anything from the match would already be positive. For France, slipping up could complicate progression. So tension, nerves, and tactical discipline were all at play.
The Match: Key Moments & Flow of Play
First Half: France Jump Ahead, South Africa Hit Back
- 25th minute: France broke the deadlock. Anthony Bermont, a midfielder known for his work rate and ability to arrive in attacking positions, pounced on a rebound to put the French side ahead 1-0.
- 33rd minute: South Africa responded strongly. A mishap involving French defender Elyaz Zidane (a foul in the box) led to a penalty. Jody Ah Sheen stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, equalizing at 1-1.
From there until halftime, the match was competitive. France dominated possession and territory, but South Africa defended resolutely, and their goalkeeper and backline had to make some important interventions. France missed a few chances before the break.
Second Half: France Push, Solid Finish
In the second half, France maintained more control. The statistics reflect a lot more possession in their favour (≈ 67%) and greater attacking output.
- 80th minute: Lucas Michal, after several earlier efforts and near misses, finally found the winner for France. A well-timed strike, the culmination of persistence and pressure, putting France ahead 2-1.
There were further chances from both sides — South Africa tried to push, to force France into mistakes or get set-piece opportunities. But France held on. Their defending in the final ten minutes was disciplined; they managed to see out the key moments without conceding further. South Africa would regret some missed chances and perhaps fatigue or lack of finishing as factors that prevented them from snatching at least a draw.
Tactical Insights & Player Performances
France: What Worked
- Early initiative and attacking posture
France didn’t sit back. They pressed, moved the ball, tried to force mistakes. Bermont’s goal came partly because of alertness in attack. That pressure paid off. - Patience and persistence
Even after conceding, France did not panic. They kept probing, retaining possession, creating chances — even if several were saved or blocked. Michal’s winning goal was the product of this sustained pressure. - Squad depth and game management
France was able to rotate and manage game phases: early offense, consolidating after the equalizer, pushing again in the second half. They looked more comfortable as the game wore on, which often shows deeper quality in youth squads. - Defensive resilience when needed
Once ahead, the French defense (and goalkeeper) withstood South Africa’s urgency. There were moments of danger, but France avoided major mistakes, especially in the closing stages.
South Africa: Positives & Challenges
- Resilience and mental strength
Coming back from a goal down early is never easy, especially in a tournament opener against a strong European side. South Africa did that via the penalty and defended well in patches. The equalizer showed calmness under pressure. - Good defensive work and goalkeeping
There were several stops, blocks, and interventions that kept them in the game. The backline didn’t collapse under pressure, and the goalkeeper made saves (especially in the first half) to keep the score level. - Moments of attacking promise
South Africa had some good moments: the penalty chance, a few attacks and pressure switches. Players like Shakeel April, Siviwe Magidigidi were involved in creating threats. But overall they lacked consistency and finishing. - Problems with closing out phases and finishing
The difference came late with Michal’s goal. South Africa needed either a second goal themselves or to stifle France’s late surge. Ability to maintain defensive shape under growing pressure and capitalize on their opportunities was limited. Also, possession was mostly in France’s favour, meaning South Africa had less control in critical stretches.
Key Players & Moments
- Anthony Bermont (France) stood out with the opener. His positioning, reaction to rebounds, and attacking mindset gave France a needed early boost.
- Jody Ah Sheen (South Africa) deserves praise for stepping up during the penalty. That kind of calm under pressure in a big tournament is important. The equalizer gave South Africa belief.
- Lucas Michal (France) – patient, persistent. Many players might get frustrated after missing opportunities, but he kept going, and in the 80th minute, he delivered. That kind of finishing is valuable, especially in tight games.
- South Africa’s defense & goalkeeper – though ultimately they conceded twice, they made sure the match was never easy for France. Some stops and holds, especially early and after conceding, kept them in the contest.
- Turning point: The late winner. Timing matters: for France to score at a moment when South Africa were likely either pressing forward or looking for the equalizer, it made it harder for South Africa to respond in the closing minutes. Also, momentum had been shifting France-wards as the second half progressed.
Broader Implications
For France
- Strong start: Getting three points in the first match always eases pressure. It gives confidence and allows some margin in subsequent group games.
- Learning & fine-tuning: Though they won, conceding early and being pegged back indicates France need to stay solid defensively, even in early parts of matches. Also, some chance conversion issues earlier in the match suggest room for improvement.
- Squad trust and depth: This match would help reinforce coaches’ trust in players like Bermont and Michal, who delivered. It also helps in rotating the squad knowing that several options exist to maintain performance.
For South Africa
- Proof of competitiveness: Even in defeat, putting up a fight against a European side with slightly greater resources showcases growth. The ability to get back quickly after conceding shows resilience.
- Areas to focus on: Finishing and game management in second half, under pressure phases. Also, transitioning from defense to attack more cleanly, maintaining possession when under pressure, and making more from set-pieces or counterattacks.
- Mental benefit/weight of missed opportunities: Coming so close, the match will sting, but players and staff can take positives and use them to sharpen future performance.
What This Means for the Tournament & the Group
- France’s win gives them an early edge in Group E, allowing them some breathing space. Opponents in later group matches will need to adjust accordingly.
- South Africa now are under pressure in subsequent matches to pick up points. Even one draw or win could suffice, depending on group dynamics, but there’s little margin for error.
- For the neutral, the match reminded that even underdog sides from Africa can pose problems, especially when they are well organized and composed. The tournament is likely to feature more surprises if teams like South Africa can maintain this level.
- Also, the balance between possession-oriented teams vs counterattacking or defensive teams will be a theme. Matches like this highlight that dominance in possession must be paired with clinical finishing or risk being dragged into tense, unpredictable finishes.