Barry Scores Last-Minute Winner as France Overcome Georgia in U21 Euros Classic

In a thrilling conclusion, France staged a remarkable late comeback to shatter Georgia’s hopes, securing a 3-2 victory in their second match of the UEFA U21 European Championships.

Having previously clinched the title in 1988, a proactive French team controlled the attacking dynamics from the start. Wilson Odobert nearly set the tone with an early goal, but the ball got tangled beneath his feet in the six-yard box, while Felix Lemarechal’s attempt was comfortably caught by Luka Kharatishvili.

As the match approached the 15-minute mark, the pressure continued to mount on Kharatishvili’s goal. Mathys Tel struck a free-kick from just outside the box, which the Georgian keeper brilliantly deflected to avert further danger.

Things shifted in favour of the French side in the 35th minute. After suffering a high boot from Saba Sazonov, Tel shook off the challenge and confidently converted the resulting penalty, slotting it into the corner to ensure France led at the break.

In response to his team’s lack of shots on target, Georgia manager Ramaz Svanadze brought on Abuashvili and Otar Mamageishvili. It was nearly Abuashvili who pulled Georgia level, unleashing a powerful strike from distance that required an impressive full-stretch save from Guillaume Restes to tip the ball over the bar.

Kharatishvili was called to action again soon after, denying Odobert’s fierce shot that could have sealed the match for France. Had it not been for Kharatishvili’s heroics, the scoreline could have resembled a cricket tally, as substitute Matthis Abline aimed towards goal, only to see his effort expertly diverted over the crossbar.

As often said in football, failing to convert opportunities can come back to haunt you, and Abuashvili made France pay for it in the 76th minute with a magnificent strike that found the corner of the net.

Astonishingly, Georgia took a surprise lead just eight minutes later when an unmarked Sazonov nodded in an unstoppable header from the back post.

However, the celebrations in Georgia turned out to be somewhat premature as France struck back within a dramatic three-minute span.

First, Lepenant capitalised on a well-executed team play, thunderously scoring past Kharatishvili to equalise, yet Thierno Barry’s goal in the 92nd minute was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.

The exhilarating match in Zilina wasn’t over just yet, as Barry finally found the net in the 102nd minute, converting a headed pass from Castello Lukeba to propel France into second place in Group C, ahead of their upcoming fixture against bottom-placed Poland on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, for Georgia, their only hope of progressing hinges on a win against group leaders Portugal.