France U21s beaten by Germany without Matsima
Semi-final defeat
First Team
26.06.2025, 09:00
The second semi-final of the U21 European Championship in Slovakia saw France beaten 3-0 by Germany on Wednesday evening. FCA defender Chrislain Matsima wasn’t called upon.
France coach Gerald Baticle made three changes to the side that beat Denmark 3-2 in the quarter-finals, dropping FCA centre-back Chrislain Matsima dropping to the bench.
Germany were the much better team at the start of the semi-final in Kosice, racing into a 2-0 lead inside the first 14 minutes through Nelson Weiper and Nick Woltemade goals. Although France pressed hard and did their best to find a way back into the game, Germany goalkeeper Noah Atubolu consistently kept them at bay. Les Bleus were then forced to play the final few minutes with 10 men after Felix Lemarechal had to come off injured and they had no substitutions left. They continued to throw men forward and that allowed Brajan Gruda to go up the other end and confirm Germany’s place in the final with their third goal of the evening.
Germany will meet England again in the final on Saturday (21:00 CEST) after already beating them in the group stage. England defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in the first semi-final.
