PLAYER RATINGS | Switzerland 1-4 France: Lyon’s academy shines as Les Bleuets qualify for U21 Euros quarter-finals | OneFootball

After two unconvincing but vital narrow wins in Group D of the U21 Euros, France only needed a draw against Switzerland to be confirmed group winners. U21 France manager Sylvain Ripoll shuffled his pack again and gave starting places to Liverpool target Khéphren Thuram, Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Manu Koné, Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki and former Everton left-back Niels Nkounkou.

Contrary to the games against Italy (2-1) and Norway (1-0), France started strongly, making the most of the proven talent at their disposal. Cherki waltzed into the Switzerland penalty box before being taken out by Fabian Reider. The referee pointed to the spot and Rennes forward Amine Gouiri opened the scoring. Les Bleuets were managing the tempo of the game, but they failed to create clear goal-scoring opportunities. They were to be punished for it. Dan Ndoye emphatically concluded a terrific team move from the Swiss to restore parity.

In the second half, France were feeling the pressure as Switzerland found cracks in Les Bleuets‘ disjointed defence. Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier showed strong hands to deflect a Mohamed Amdouni effort over the crossbar. France got a better hold of the game at the hour mark. Bradley Barcola outstretched himself to retrieve a ball in Switzerland’s half. The Lyon winger exchanged passes with Gouiri to great effect as the former side-footed home, scoring his second goal of the tournament.

The night belonged to Lyon youth products. Cherki made a mockery of an exhausted Switzerland defence to hammer home under the crossbar to double France’s lead. Barcola then laid it on a plate for Maxence Caqueret to make it four. France’s bundle of talent proved too great for the Swiss. Like England, Les Bleuets eventually ended their group stage with nine points out of a possible nine. France will now face Ukraine on Sunday.

France players ratings

Lucas Chevalier, 6

Niels Nkounkou, 5.

Castello Lukeba, 6

Loïc Badé, 4

Pierre Kalulu, 4

Maxence Caqueret, 6

Manu Koné, N/A – A big worry for France as the Mönchengladbach player limped off with what looked like a serious knee injury. Replaced in the 18th minute by Enzo Le Fée. The Lorient man impressed with a very good display of technicality and work rate (6).

Khéphren Thuram, 7 – There was plenty to admire from the Nice midfielder. From his ability to dictate play, and the ease with which he gets the ball back to his extraordinary ball-carrying skills, the Liverpool target put in a remarkable performance.

Rayan Cherki, 7 – France’s very own two-faced particle accelerator. The 19-year-old Lyon playmaker can be frustrating to watch, with his erratic decision-making and his reluctance to press. But he is able to turn a game on its head with a flash of utter brilliance. Heavily involved in half of France’s goals on the night.

Bradley Barcola, 7

Amine Gouiri, 6

GFFN | Bastien Cheval