France U21 beat Estonia 2-0 and close on Euro 2027; Ethan Mbappé goes off injured after 12 minutes

Ethan Mbappé’s first start for France’s under-21s lasted twelve minutes. The Lille player went off injured, and the young French side handled the rest without him: 2-0 away to the bottom of Group C on Tuesday, four days after the 1-1 draw in Iceland.

Thirty-eight shots, two goals

Steve Ngoura finished a fine move from the heart of the box (24th minute). Four minutes later, Sander Tovstik was sent off for an elbow to Ismaëlo Ganiou’s torso and face in a dispute over a throw-in, and Estonia played more than an hour with ten men. Against a side camped in its own box, France piled up 38 shots and 21 corners and added only one more goal: Jean-Matteo Bahoya, a low strike from just outside the area (68th), after a big chance in the 48th. France controlled everything except the final touch.

Ethan Mbappé and Senny Mayulu forced off

Gérald Baticle had named Mbappé, Ngoura and Tel up front, with Zézé and Ganiou at the back. Senny Mayulu followed Mbappé off, replaced in the 42nd minute. The nature of the two injuries is not yet known. “We now have to wait to learn more about their condition,” So Foot writes, closing its report with the line: “One international break, two injured Mbappés”, Ethan with the under-21s, Kylian with the senior side.

Twenty points from eight matches

With 20 points from eight qualifiers, six wins and two draws, France top Group C ahead of Switzerland, with a game in hand. Foot Mercato considers them “practically assured” of a place at the 2027 Under-21 EURO. The table is almost settled; the severity of the two injuries is the only open question.