France U21 4 - 1 Poland U21 Player Ratings: Djaoui Cisse Scores Brace As France Thrash Poland To Qualify For Euro U21 Quarterfinals

France faced Poland in their final group stage game of the UEFA Euro U21 competition on 17th June 2025 at 6:00 PM (GMT) at the Stadion pod Dubnom in Žilina, Slovakia. France looked to top the group with a win against Poland to get a relatively easier opponent in the quarterfinals. Poland had already been eliminated from the next stage and were playing for pride in their last game of the Euro U21.

France were the more lively of the two teams, as they kept the Polish midfield and backline under constant pressure from the very first whistle of the game. Their efforts proved to be fruitful as Nathan Zeze headed in a loose ball in the 18th minute. The Polish goalkeeper made a horrendous mistake as he couldn't gather Djaoui Cisse's cross properly, which Zeze took advantage of in the penalty box. Just a minute later, Cisse was in the centre of action again as he picked up a ball in the middle of the park, made a darting run, and pulled off a wonderful finish from outside the box past the helpless Trelowski. The midfielder didn't seem to take his foot off the gas, as he scored another belter from just outside the box with his weaker foot past Trelowski to put France in a comfortable lead going into the break.

The second half saw Poland play with more enthusiasm, ditching their gameplay of sitting back and counterattacking when the right time arises. Poland's efforts were paid back handsomely when Mariusz Fornalczyk tapped in from close range in the 55th minute, which the VAR later ruled out due to offside. It was in the 61st minute when Poland finally found the back of the net, as Kaluzinski's cross was well met by Ariel Mosor, who calmly placed the ball away from Trelowski's diving left hand.

Poland tried to push forward, but France held their shape well after conceding. Matthis Albine put the game to bed in the 82nd minute, with a superb header from Noah Edjouma's corner at the near post. With the win, France qualified for the quarterfinals, being the second-best team of Group C. Here are the France U21 National Football Team vs Poland U21 National Football Team Player Ratings.

France U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Obed Nkambadio - 6/10

The goalkeeper didn't have much to do in the first half, played well with the ball at his feet.

Defenders

Kilian Sildillia - 6/10

Sildillia was lively down the right flank, providing pinpoint crosses throughout the course of the game.

Soungoutou Magassa - 6/10

The defender showcased his excellent ball-playing skills with precise long balls over the Polish defense.

Nathan Zeze - 7/10

Held the defensive line well and came across to deal with a number of good crosses. He kept Szmyt at bay using his superior physicality. Scored the opening goal of the game, showing great instinct.

Christian Mawissa - 6/10

Mawissa fared well on the left-hand side, as he was on his toes almost every time to stop the surging Marczuk.

Midfielders

Lucien Agoume - 5.5/10

Lost the ball quite a few times in the middle of the park. The midfielder looked better in the second half, playing crisp passes in and around the Polish penalty box.

Djaoui Cisse - 8/10

Cisse was the star for France for the majority of the game, as he was involved in both goals in the first half. Scored a banger from outside the box, then scored another one from a tighter angle to top off a fine performance.

Andy Diouf - 6/10

Diouf combined well with Tchaouna at the right-hand side at times. The midfielder was instrumental in winning the ball in the middle of the park almost whenever Poland tried to break forward.

Forwards

Jean-Matteo Bahoya - 6/10

Bahoya pulled off some good tricks on the left-hand side, getting the better of Marczuk at times. The winger provided a good number of low crosses into the box, too, but was unable to find a fellow teammate.

Thierno Barry - 6.5/10

The striker dropped deep to help his midfielders and put his physicality to good use. Made quite a few good runs into the box but was unable to find the back of the net.

Loum Tchaouna - 6/10

The winger played like a live wire down the right flank but was challenged well by the Polish left back on numerous occasions.

Substitutes

Matthis Albine - 6.5/10

Scored the fourth goal of the night for France and put an end to the hopes of a Polish comeback.

Noah Edjouma - 6/10

Turned provider for Albine's goal, which put the game to bed.

Felix Lemarechal - 5/10

Wilson Odobert - NA

Quentin Merlin - NA

Manager

Gerald Baticle - 6/10

Baticle used his proven 4-3-3 approach to open up the sturdy Polish defense. Set his team up well with two pacy wingers who can talk with the ball at their feet. His wingbacks provided enough width that stretched the Polish backline, forcing mistakes in turn.

Poland U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Kacper Trelowski - 4.5/10

Made a real mess of Cisse's initial cross, on which Zeze pounced quickly to give France the lead. The goalkeeper's positioning was a thing of concern throughout the game.

Defenders

Dominik Marczuk - 6/10

Was sound defensively, as he kept Tchaouna at bay for most of the game. Offensively, he had very little to offer.

Patryk Peda - 6/10

The defender played the ball quite well from the back and was on-hand to stop Bahoya from getting into dangerous positions in and around the penalty box.

Ariel Mosor - 7/10

Mosor held the defensive line well, but couldn't find enough support from either of his compatriots at the back. Scored the only goal for Poland from a well-taken corner.

Lukasz Bejger - 6/10

Should have marked Zeze better for the first goal. Put in a good shift apart from that one mistake in the first half.

Filip Luberecki - 6.5/10

Luberecki played his role to perfection, as he defended the oncoming Tchaouna well on a number of occasions. Played higher up the pitch at times, making good runs down the left flank.

Midfielders

Jakub Kaluzinski - 7/10

Kaluzinski passed the ball around well in the middle of the park and was the only midfielder who seemed to try to make things work for Poland. It was his corner kick that brought Poland back into the game.

Kacper Kozlowski - 6/10

The holding midfielder was caught out of position at times, leading to both goals from Cisse.

Antoni Kozubal - 5.5/10

Kozubal tried to get forward and play in a good number of balls through the French defense, but failed to find a teammate for the majority of the game.

Forwards:

Kajetan Szmyt - 6/10

Put his physicality to good use at times but didn't get much service from his teammates inside the penalty box.

Mariusz Fornalczyk - 6.5/10

Fornalczyk was the more lively of the Polish forwards, as he almost put Poland back into the game but saw his finish ruled out by the VAR.

Substitutes

Milosz Matysik - 6/10

Mateusz Kowalczyk - 6/10

Mateusz Legowski - 6/10

Tomasz Pienko - NA

Filip Szymczak - NA

Manager:

Adam Majewski - 6/10

Set his team up in a more defensive manner in the first half with a back five. When things didn't go his team's way, he quickly changed his players in the second half, relying more on keeping the ball, which provided dividends as his team pulled a goal back. His players tried their best by pushing the French players back, but the lead was way too large to cut down.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match: Djaoui Cisse