France U21 3-2 Georgia U21 Player Ratings: Thierno Barry Wins France a Late Thriller Against Georgia in Euro U21

Thierno Barry was the hero for France as they won a thriller 3-2 against Georgia late in the game. France started the game on the front foot, and Mathys Tel gave them a first-half lead with a penalty. Georgia came back into the game strongly by taking the lead. Substitute Girogi Abuashvili scored and assisted for them. It wasn't enough as France countered with two goals late in the game to take all three points. This leaves Group C in a fine balance heading into the final matchday.

France started the game well with fluidity in both midfield and attack. Their high press unsettled Georgia as well. Georgia had a few chances as well but the sucker punch came from France. Saba Sazonov caught Mathys Tel, and the referee awarded a penalty. Tel stepped up calmly to give a deserved lead. Georgia, who didn't play badly, but were made to pay for their inefficiency.

They corrected themselves in the second half by slowing the game down and not playing into France's hands. Giorgi Abuashvili was summoned off the bench to be their saviour. After Matthis Abline was dispossessed, Abuashvili was played into to score an equaliser in the 77th minute. It triggered a series of crazy events in the game. Sazonov pushed forward from centre-back to score a free header in the 85th minute. Georgian fans were in a wonderland, thinking they were in the knockouts.

France, which had a poor second half, woke up suddenly. They used their substitutions to hit back again. Johann Lepenant scored in the 90th minute to draw the game level. They pressed hard for a winner late in the stoppage time. Thierno Barry scored from close range in the 92nd minute, but the VAR intervened to chalk it off. There was no denying Barry again in the 11th minute of added time as he blasted home into an empty net from close range. This allowed France to complete a dramatic comeback and register their first win at the tournament. Here are the France U21 National Football Team vs Georgia U21 National Football Team Player Ratings.

France U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Guillaume Restes-5/10

Relatively had nothing to do in the first half as he showcased his sweeping skills along with distribution. He was rooted to the spot as the ball went past him into the net. Pretty much reactionless to the second goal as well.

Defenders

Killian Sildillia-7/10

Produced a huge block to keep the scoreline at 0-0 when Georgia had a huge chance midway through the first half. His dangerous runs into the final third were an added asset.

Chrislain Matsima-6/10

The defender saw a lot of the ball in France's build-up and fired some passes into the final third, trying to accelerate the game. Failed to close down Abuashivili as he fired the equaliser.

Castello Lukeba-6.5/10

Often held the high line by himself and used his physicality to shrug off the attackers.

Quentin Merlin-6.5/10

Inverted into the midfield to add bodies in the middle and create overloads. He was attacking like a traditional fullback as well. Left Sazonov completely free for the second goal.

Midfielders

Ismael Doukore-6/10

Won the ball repeatedly with some good interceptions and was a key component in their high press.

Johann Lepenant-8/10

Screened the defence well and showcased his ball-playing skills by creating a couple of chances. Picked the ball and scored a crucial equaliser late in the game.

Lucien Agoume-8/10

Provided some bite to France with his tackles and helped them win the ball aggressively as well. He belted a shot that was well blocked. Slipped in Lepenant for the late equaliser.

Forwards

Wilson Odobert-7/10

He was full of running behind the defensive line as he looked to get on the end of some chances. He was swapping positions with Tel all game long.

Mathys Tel-8.5/10

Ran the show for his side with excellent dribbles and creative choices. Scored the penalty, which he won, and boosted his confidence.

Felix Lemarechal-6.5/10

Revitalised France's left wing on his first start with hazy dribbles and delightful crosses.

Substitutes

Loum Tchaouna-6/10

Matthis Abline-6/10

Scuffed a gilt-edged chance to put his side 2-0 up. Lost the ball, and it directly led to his side conceding.

Thierno Barry-8/10

Scored twice in the stoppage time, and only one of them was a winner as VAR denied him the first time.

Djaoui Cisse-6/10

Noah Edjouma-6/10

Manager

Gerald Baticle-7/10

The changes to the lineup were to good effect as they pressed high in the first half. Creativity was there, too, thanks to the fluid front three. However, it disappeared in the second half as they failed to kill the game and were punished. Barry reduced his side with a later winner.

Georgia U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Luka Kharatishvili-7/10

Saved a header from point-blank range in the first half. But he was unable to guess and save Tel's penalty. Pulled off incredible saves late on to keep it at 1-0.

Defenders

Girogi Maisuradze-6.5/10

Did well to deal with Lemarechal by tracking back. Created a couple of chances by bombing forward as well.

Saba Sazonov-7/10

Karate kicked Mathys Tel as he conceded a cheap penalty and earned a yellow card. Repented for it by scoring a late goal with an excellent header. However, it wasn't the winner as France hit back again.

Saba Khvadagiani-6.5/10

He was robbed of the ball but wasn't punished, thankfully. Did enough to defend his box well.

Irakli Azarovi-6/10

Had to be on his toes all game long as Odobert was giving him a go. It certainly impacted his attacking prowess. A lazy effort as Lepenant scored the goal.

Midfielders

Gizo Mamageishvili-5/10

He was given a tough time in the middle of the pitch as he struggled under opposition pressure. Lost the ball multiple times and couldn't contribute in the attack.

Nodar Lominadze-7/10

Used his body very well to shield the ball under immense French pressure. Impressed everyone with his dribbling skills and slipped in his forwards.

Luka Gagnidze-7/10

Crashed the box and had a superb chance as a cross found him, but he was unable to finish it. Did well to keep the ball under pressure.

Forwards

Lasha Odisharia-6/10

Had a chance to run clear of the defence, but was either caught offside or was closed down. He was tiring and had to be replaced.

Giorgi Kvernadze-6/10

Failed to hold up the ball for most parts of the game. However, he danced into the box and came incredibly close to scoring a goal.

Irakli Yegoian-6/10

Showcased his excellent range of long passing with impressive switches of play. Beyond that, he was ineffective in attack.

Substitutes

Otar Mamageishvili-6/10

Giorgi Abuashvili-8/10

Reacted the quickest to take the ball and dance before firing it into the bottom corner to draw the game level. Even created a goal for Sazonov with a great cross.

Gabriel Sigua-6/10

Vasilios Gordeziani-6/10

Levan Osikmashvili-6/10

Manager

Ramaz Savadze-6/10

His side were torn apart in the first half by France's high press. But he did well to slow the game down and turn it around in the second half. His substitutions worked wonders as they got the equaliser. However, they failed to protect the lead they so deservingly took.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Mathys Tel