FIFA U-20 World Cup: France Knocked Out As Gambia Joins Nigeria in the Round of 16

Gambia at the FIFA U-20 World Cup — Credit: Iconsport

Gambia joins Nigeria to become the second African national team to reach the Round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Argentina. They reached the knockout stage for only the second time in their history after defeating France by 2-1 in their second group-stage game on Thursday.

May 24: Nigeria defeats Italy 2-0. 🇳🇬
May 25: Gambia defeats France 2-1. 🇬🇲

Both sides have 6 points after 2 matches at the #U20WC.

THIS TIME FOR AFRICA 🎶 pic.twitter.com/w6ow23qfOS

— U20 World Cup 🏆 (@WorldCup_U20) May 25, 2023

Gambia vs France: As It Happened

The French defender Tanguy Zoukrou handed the lead to Gambia with an own goal in the 13th minute. After halftime, France managed to equalize the score through Obodert in the 61st minute of the match. However, Sanyang gave back the lead to Gambia eight minutes after the equalizer (68).

FT’ | France 🇫🇷 1-2 🇬🇲 The Gambia

The young Scorpions booked their place in the knockout stages of the U20 FIFA World Cup following their second successive win in Argentina.

They beat 2013 champions, France 2-1, thanks to an own goal and a hard-fought finish by Mamin Sanyang. pic.twitter.com/mzrkuLg4VR

— Foday Manneh (@foday_manneh_) May 25, 2023

The Young Scorpions lead Group F with six points thanks to the result. They overcame Honduras (2-1) and France (2-1) in their two games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. South Korea is placed second with four points, Honduras is third with one point, and France is fourth with zero points on the board.

🗣️ "Our target has to be the 2026 World Cup. We have a good chance to do very well."

The Gambia's senior coach, Tom Saintfiet, told me.

The U20 team has just beaten France at the U20 World Cup and is top of Group F. Really exciting generation.

Many Gambians doing well in… pic.twitter.com/hQIRRmAYqQ

— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) May 25, 2023

The Gambia U20 national team will now face South Korea on Sunday, May 28, at the Estadio Malvinas Agentinas. The African side will know their opponents in the Round of 16 after their last game in the group stage.

Tunisia with an Important Win

It was the meeting of two footballing brothers, Tunisia and Iraq, in the second round of Group E fixtures in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The game ended in favor of Tunisia, as the Carthage Eagles recorded a 3-0 win at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona.

Tunisia’s Snana opened the scoring in the 55th minute, with El Djebali increasing it two minutes later. While substitute Nasraoui was sent off in the 74th minute, Tunisia managed to hold on and even added a third goal via Ghorbel in the 86th minute. Tunisia's goalkeeper Edries Arfaoui deserves special mention as he made a record 11 saves.

Tunisia goalkeeper Edries Arfaoui made 11 saves and allowed 0 goals in a 3-0 win over Iraq today.

A huge part of Tunisia’s 2nd #U20WC win ever. 🇹🇳 pic.twitter.com/VpzGQv8TzM

— U20 World Cup 🏆 (@WorldCup_U20) May 25, 2023

The Carthage Eagles are placed 3rd in Group E with three points, while Iraq is out of the competition. Tunisia will play Uruguay next in their final group-stage game. It will be a heated affair as the winner will qualify for the Round of 16.

FULLTIME IN ARGENTINA:

🇮🇶 Iraq 0-3 Tunisia 🇹🇳
TUN – Snana 55’, Djebali 57’, Ghorbel 86’

🇰🇷 South Korea 2-2 Honduras 🇭🇳
KOR – Kim 58’, Park 62’
HON – Ruiz 22’, Castillo 51’

Tunisia gets a much needed win, while South Korea’s comeback moves them closer to the round of 16. pic.twitter.com/waqViOpO3a

— U20 World Cup 🏆 (@WorldCup_U20) May 25, 2023

African teams in the FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign are doing well so far, as two national teams (Nigeria and Gambia) have officially made it to the knockout stages, while the others also have a chance to make it through.