FIFA U-17 World Cup

France ride formidable attack to winning debut

France defeated Chile 2-0 in their first match of Brazil 2019
Their ceaseless pressure earned them two quick second-half goals
PSG starlet Adil Aouchiche pulled the strings for Les Bleuets

France's firepower proved too much for Chile at the Estadio da Serrinha in Goiania on Sunday evening as Les Tricolores ran out 2-0 winners in their FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™ debut. A pair of quick-fire strikes, firstly via a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and again on a heady attacking move in the 64th minute, were the difference.

France

With the success France had connecting one-touch passes and searing into the penalty box from wide areas, their eventual breakthrough felt inevitable. Captain Lucien Agoume provided it by converting a penalty after Brandon Soppy was brought down in the box. Then midfielder Adil Aouchiche picked out Isaac Lihadji's run for France's second. Aouchiche was the danger man for Les Bleuets all night, creating bundles of chances for himself and his team-mates.

Chile

Chile's game plan was sound and they executed it to near perfection in the first half, relying on their defensive strength to absorb pressure and the energy of their tenacious No6, Vicente Pizarro. Their best chance was also the first of the game, when Alex Aravena hit the crossbar in the 11th minute. At last the floodgates opened fifteen minutes into the second half as the danger created by France became overwhelming.

Up next

30 October

Group C
Korea Republic-France (Goiania/Serrinha, 17:00 local time)
Chile-Haiti (Goiania/Serrinha, 20:00 local time)

Isaac Lihadji of France celebrates

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: Isaac Lihadji of France celebrates after he scores the 2nd goal during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 - Arnaud Kalimuendo Muinga (L) of France challenges Kennan Sepulveda of Chile

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: Arnaud Kalimuendo Muinga (L) of France challenges Kennan Sepulveda of Chile during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Isaac Lihadji of France competes for the ball with Luis Rojas and Vicente Pizarro of Chile

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Isaac Lihadji of France competes for the ball with Luis Rojas and Vicente Pizarro of Chile during the match for FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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France v Chile - FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Adil Aouchiche of France and Daniel Gonzalez of Chile fight for the ball during the match for FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Isaac Lihadji #18 of France challenges Cristian Riquelme #4 of Chile

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: Isaac Lihadji #18 of France challenges Cristian Riquelme #4 of Chile during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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France team - FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: The team of France line up before the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Chile team - FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: The team of Chile line up before the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 - The team of France and of Chile walk onto the pitch before the FIFA U-17 World Cup

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: The team of France and of Chile walk onto the pitch before the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Chile fans at Serrinha Stadium - FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: Supporters of Chile cheer before the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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France dressing room before match against Chile - Brazil 2019

27 Oct 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 27: A general view of the French locker room ahead the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group C match between France and Chile at Estadio da Serrinha on October 27, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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