Chile Under-21s punished heavily by hosts France in Toulon

Chile Under-21s paid the price for failing to take their first half chances as hosts France hit back to win 3-0 in the Toulon Tournament.

La Rojita expected a tough game in their opening Group A match, but were by far the better team in the first period.
However, they couldn’t find the back of the net. Colo Colo left back Luis Pavez was desperately unlucky when his curling shot struck the inside of the post.

Audax Italiano striker Felipe Mora shot wide from eight yards when he really should have scored and saw another shot blocked by the French keeper at close-range.

Chile introduced Club Bruges striker Nicolás Castillo for the second half and the former Universidad Católica man shot into the side netting almost immediately.

It looked as though it was only a matter of time before La Rojita would break the deadlock, but, instead, the goal came at the other end.

France’s Jean-Christophe Bahebeck showed the Chile strikers the way to finish with a powerful left-foot drive into the corner of the net in the 43rd minute.

Chile became anxious and disorganised in their bid to get back into the match and that played into the home team’s hands.

Colo Colo keeper Álvaro Salazar made one excellent save, but he was powerless to prevent Hadi Sacko scoring France’s second in the 58th minute. The striker took advantage of the big gaps appearing in the Chilean defence to run through and blast home a low finish.

Chile’s evening got worse when defender Andrés Robles was adjudged to have brought down Bahebeck in the box. The Frenchman fired home the penalty to make it 3-0.

It summed up La Rojita’s night when substitute Fabián Carmona shot narrowly wide in stoppage time.

In the other Group A game, Portugal beat Mexico 2-0. Chile take on the Portuguese in their next encounter and will need to get something out of it.

The match is at 11.15am, Chilean time, on Friday.

Tags: Chile Under-21s, Felipe Mora, Football, Nicolás Castillo, Toulon Tournament