Strasbourg (AFP)

The France Espoirs team struggled to beat Slovakia (1-0) and took a big step towards qualifying for Euro-2021, Monday in Strasbourg.

Les Bleuets, who won thanks to a goal from Jules Koundé (22nd), temporarily join Switzerland at the top of Group 2 with 21 points.

But the Helvetii have one game less, which they will play on Tuesday against modest Liechtenstein, swept (5-0) by the Habs on Thursday.

Solid in the first period, the French were more muddled after the break and suffered against the Slovaks without complex.

In the coolness of Meinau, the Bleuets struggled to enter their match and suffered against rough Slovaks.

During the first twenty minutes, Sylvain Ripoll's players lacked precision and struggled to be dangerous, except for a strike from Jonathan Ikoné off target (15th).

Fortunately, France was effective: on a free kick well shot by Amine Gouiri, the Slovak goalkeeper pushed back as best he could but Koundé followed well to regain without control and score with the help of the left post (1 -0, 22nd).

This goal woke up the Habs who then multiplied the opportunities: thus, a strike from Diaby was blocked by the goalkeeper (26th), then Ikoné, very leggy, also stumbled on the opposing goalkeeper after having superbly eliminated two defenders with a step-over followed by a double contact (35th).

Then Randal Kolo Muani did not frame his acrobatic recovery (38th) and Gouiri's attempt was not sufficiently supported (39th).

Just before the end of the first period, left side Yvann Maçon, revelation of the start of the season for AS Saint-Etienne, went out on a stretcher after seriously injuring his right knee.

From the resumption, Lubomir Tupta almost equalized on a free kick deflected by a French defender, but Alban Lafont made a sumptuous rescue with a tap (47th).

Gradually, the Bleuets fell asleep and let their opponents come back into the game.

Very fast against, the Slovaks and in particular Tupta put the French defense in difficulty but lacked precision to really worry Lafont.

At the end of the game, the tricolor goalkeeper was vigilant, especially on a free kick at the last minute (90th + 3).

© 2020 AFP