Saimon Bouabre’s brace fired France past Norway into the U-20 World Cup semi-finals, where they face Morocco. With Argentina meeting Colombia in the other semi-final, the stage is set for a thrilling climax in Chile.
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France have booked their place in the semi-finals of the U-20 World Cup after a tense 2-1 victory over Norway, a match decided by the clinical finishing of Saimon Bouabre.
The forward struck twice in the first half to give Les Bleuets the cushion they needed, and although Norway mounted a late fightback, the French side held firm to continue their quest for a second world title at this level.
The game, played in Valparaíso, Chile, began with high intensity from both teams, but it was France who struck first. Bouabre, showcasing his sharp instincts inside the box, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a composed finish that left the Norwegian goalkeeper with no chance. France built on their dominance and doubled their lead in the 37th minute, once again through Bouabre, who punished a defensive lapse to complete his brace. At 2-0 by halftime, the French appeared to be in full control.
Norway, however, did not give up easily. They came out in the second half with renewed determination, pushing France back and trying to create openings. The breakthrough came late in the game when defender Rasmus Holten headed home in the 83rd minute, setting up a nervy finale. The goal gave Norway hope, but France’s defensive organization, combined with their ability to slow the game down, proved enough to see them through.
Steven Baseya, the Alverca defender representing France, was introduced in stoppage time, coming on in the 90+1 minute. Though his contribution was brief, he played his part in ensuring the French side closed out the victory. For France, who lifted the U-20 World Cup in 2013, this win represents another step toward rekindling that golden moment of a decade ago.
The semi-final promises to be a fascinating clash, with France now set to face Morocco on Wednesday, again in Valparaíso. Morocco have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, showing tactical discipline and resilience, and their meeting with France will pit two contrasting styles against each other: France’s attacking flair and depth against Morocco’s organization and counterattacking ability.
On the other side of the bracket, six-time champions Argentina the most successful nation in the history of the competition will take on Colombia in the second semi-final. Argentina, boasting a squad that includes Benfica’s promising youngster Gianluca Prestianni and FC Porto’s Tomás Pérez, will enter the match as favorites. Yet Colombia, with Aves SAD’s Óscar Perea in their ranks, have shown throughout the tournament that they can compete with the very best, setting up a South American showdown with plenty of intrigue.
For Portugal, who are absent from this year’s edition, the tournament has been watched from afar with mixed emotions. Portuguese fans remember the golden days of 1989, when the country won its first U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, followed by a triumphant repeat on home soil in 1991 a period often referred to as the start of Portugal’s “Golden Generation.” More recently, Portugal came close again in 2011, finishing as runners-up to Brazil in Colombia, and earned a third-place finish in Qatar back in 1995. Their absence in 2025 is a reminder of the challenges in consistently producing world-beating youth teams, even for nations with rich football traditions.
For France, however, the present is bright. Bouabre’s performance has turned him into one of the standout names of the tournament, and his brace against Norway highlighted his ability to deliver under pressure. With a squad that blends physicality, technical skill, and mental toughness, France enter their semi-final with confidence but also aware of the dangers of underestimating a disciplined Moroccan side.
As the U-20 World Cup reaches its decisive stages in Chile, excitement is building. France and Argentina are seen as the traditional heavyweights, but Morocco and Colombia are proving that this tournament is as much about surprises as it is about history. For the players involved, many of whom are still only teenagers, it is an opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage and for fans, it is a glimpse of football’s future stars.
Updated: 03:48, 13 Oct 2025
