France women's U20 can take time to get going, but once they do, they are unstoppable

France came through the group stage of Women's U20 World Cup unbeaten and scored six of their eight goals after the break. Their second half performances are becoming their biggest weapon, and it will be fascinating to see whether they can maintain that form when the pressure rises in the knockout stage.

Against Ghana, the entire first half passed with the scoreboard still showing nil-nil. France saw more of the ball, but struggled to create clear chances and lacked enough creativity in the final third.

Ghana stayed compact, France searched for space and the game remained open even after the teams returned from the dressing rooms. The breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute.

Clara Bertrand broke Ghana’s resistance and, over the next half hour, the match completely opened up. France added three more goals and ran out 4:0 winners.

Montpellier forward Justine Rouquet scored twice, while PSG’s Ornella Graziani added another from the penalty spot. France therefore ended the group stage with their most emphatic performance of the tournament so far.

A comeback as well as a late goal rush

France had experienced something similar just three days earlier against Ecuador. They went into the break trailing 2:1 and needed a quick response.

It came almost immediately, with Aude Bizet equalising in the 48th minute. Three minutes from time, Landryna Lushimba Bilombi completed the turnaround.

Second halves therefore accounted for most of France’s attacking output during the group stage. Six of their eight goals came after the interval.

The only exception was their opening match against South Korea. Naolia Traoré equalised before half time, and the second half produced no further goals.

In the next two matches, France looked far more convincing after returning from the dressing room, raising the tempo and gradually putting their opponents under increasing pressure.

Against Ecuador, they overturned a deficit during the second half. Against Ghana, they turned an even contest into a comfortable victory within half an hour.

Justine Rouquet was a key figure in both matches. She converted a penalty against Ecuador, then scored twice more against Ghana to underline her importance to the French attack.

A sign of what could come in the knockout stage

France have also shown that they can adapt as matches develop and gradually identify weaknesses in their opponents, even when the opening 45 minutes fail to bring immediate rewards.

That ability could become one of their biggest advantages in the knockout stage. At that point of the tournament, one strong spell can often decide an entire campaign.

France now face Canada, who scored six against Tanzania in their final group match. The round of 16 will therefore provide the first truly demanding test of the French approach.

So far, though, the tournament has offered a fairly clear guide to what to watch for when France play. The most interesting part often begins only after they return from the dressing room.