The evening was eventful this Friday, but the collective outcome was the same for Tiago Santos and Alan Virginius. The Portuguese and French Espoirs defeated the Faroe Islands and Cyprus respectively.
Selected with the national A team during the September break, Tiago Santos was back with the U21s to play two matches counting for the Euro Espoirs 2025 qualifiers in October. Opposed to the Faroe Islands then Andorra, the Portuguese only needed a draw in one of the two matches to secure their ticket for this competition. Traveling on the pitch of KI Klaksvik, which LOSC encountered during its Europe Conference League campaign (2023-2024), the Portuguese coach thus aligned his typical team and therefore Tiago Santos, for his fifth selection, at the position of right side. It was cut short, the Portuguese was forced to come off with an injury on the hour mark.
This individual glitch, another one for the Mastiffs, cannot overshadow the good result pocketed by the Portugal Espoirs. Trailing from the first minutes (Bardarson 3′), they were able to equalize in the first act (Silva 38′) before definitively turning the tide at the end of the game. Outrageously dominant, they saw their efforts rewarded with two goals scored in quick succession by Bras (87′) and Bernardo (89′) for a logical final victory (1-3). Portugal, first in its group with 24 points on the clock, five more than Croatia, its runner-up, is qualified for the Euro U21 (scheduled in Slovakia from June 11 – 28, 2025).
The composition of Portugal: Soares – T. Santos (Gomes 60′), Lamba, Bras, Rodrigues – Quenda (Essugo 83′), Bernardo, Fernandes – Silva (Araujo 46′), Mora (P. Santos 60′), Tomas (Forbs 69′)
At the same time, Gérald Baticle’s French team was traveling to Cyprus for its penultimate outing in the competition. A little hectic at the start of the game, the men of Thierry Henry’s successor made the difference just after the game was interrupted – due to a lighting failure – by Hugo Ekitiké (18′). The former Paris Saint-Germain player scored his second goal in as many matches with this French category. Maghnes Akliouche increased the score in the second half (68′), as did Tanguy Kouassi (89′) for the highlight of the show and a clear victory (0-3).
Except at the start of the game, the Bleuets were imperial away from home. With this success, they are guaranteed to finish in one of the first two places in Group H, synonymous with direct qualification for the Euro or play-offs. A draw would be enough for them on Tuesday against Austria to snatch first place from Slovenia, neutralized (1-1) in the Eastern Kingdom.
Called up for the very first time with this French generation, Alan Virginius (21) made his first selection by appearing on the field in the final minutes of the match. The Lille player, on loan from LOSC to BSC Young Boys this season, replaced Enzo Millot in added time (90+2′).
The composition of France: Rests – Belocian, Lukeba, Kouassi, Gusto (Sildillia 78′), Millot (Virginius 90+2′), Lepenant, Doukouré – Akliouche (Diouf 84′), Ekitiké (Kalimuendo 84′), Tchaouna (Bakwa 78′)
