Burkina Faso U-17 fought valiantly but in the end two second-half penalties helped France U-17 to start off their 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign with all three points, beating the Africans 3-0 at the Jakarta International Stadium on Sunday.
A cagey first half saw 2023 Euro U-17 runners-up France being unable to crack down a tough and resilient Burkina Faso defense, with no goals being scored throughout the opening 45 minutes.
However, four minutes into the second half, the Young Les Bleus finally found a breakthrough after Mathis Lambourde fired off a shot that went into Mohamed Traore’s goal.
Burkina Faso, who qualified for the World Cup as African U-17 bronze medalists under the stewardship of former Persib Bandung man Brahima Traore, proceeded to close up shop and frustrate France to no end with their valiant defending.
The game was only decided in the final ten minutes, with France being awarded two penalties in the 81st and 87th minutes, with both Joan Tincres and Tidiam Gomis performing their assignment well to ensure that the Young Les Bleus would start their World Cup campaign in the best way possible.
Sunday’s action in Jakarta also saw the United States beating South Korea 3-1, while in Bandung, Venezuela crushed New Zealand 3-0 and Germany bested Mexico 3-1.