U20 Colombia Defeats U20 France to Claim Third Place at U20 World Cup

The U20 Colombia squad finished their campaign at the FIFA U20 World Cup 2025 by beating U20 France 1-0, securing the bronze medal with full merit.

The third-place playoff took place at Julio Pradanos Stadium, where Colombia’s young players delivered a resilient and highly effective performance.

As early as the 2nd minute, Colombia scored a surprising opening goal. From a precise pass by Royner Benitez, striker Oscar Perea unleashed a sharp left-footed shot from the center, beating the French goalkeeper and putting the South American side ahead. This early goal allowed Colombia to completely dominate the first half. They took three shots, two on target, while France struggled without a single shot on goal.

In the second half, U20 France pushed forward to seek an equalizer. The European side increased pressure continuously and tried to capitalize on aerial balls, but Colombia’s defense, led by captain Andrés Salazar, remained extremely solid. Goalkeeper Alexis Castillo also had an impressive day, making several outstanding saves.

The match’s climax came in the 84th minute when U20 France appealed to the Somali referee for a penalty after a collision in the box. However, after VAR review, the referee ruled no foul. In stoppage time, France had another controversial moment, but video technology once again protected Colombia.

When the final whistle blew, the young Colombian players erupted with joy. Perea’s early goal was enough to secure the win and earn them the third-place finish, marking a historic achievement for Colombian youth football.

This victory was not only a reward for disciplined play but also for the fighting spirit of coach Héctor Cárdenas’s squad. They ended the tournament impressively, only losing to Argentina in the semifinals and overcoming a strong opponent like France to claim bronze.

Meanwhile, U20 France, despite their efforts, lacked sharpness in finishing and missed the chance to repeat their 2013 final appearance.

With their impressive performance in Chile, U20 Colombia deserves praise as one of South America’s most promising youth teams today, and their win over France will surely be a memorable milestone in the country’s football history.