Mathys Tel left Orléans with the match ball under his arm and a place alongside Odsonne Édouard in France Under-21 history. His hat-trick drove a ruthless 7-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday, completing an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2027 European Championship.
Quick facts
- France Under-21 beat Switzerland 7-1 at Stade de la Source in Orléans.
- Mathys Tel scored three times to reach 17 goals for the Under-21 side.
- Tel now shares the modern France Under-21 scoring record with Odsonne Édouard.
- Les Bleuets finished qualifying unbeaten: eight wins and two draws.
- Switzerland fell from the play-off place, with Iceland taking second spot.
Switzerland had begun the campaign as France’s principal challengers, but were overwhelmed in a one-sided final night. Tel struck in the 10th, 40th and 59th minutes, while Noé Lebreton, Dehmaine Tabibou, Steve Ngoura and Kévin Danois also scored.
The Tottenham forward opened the scoring from Saël Kumbedi’s delivery after the right-back had repeatedly found room down his flank, with Tabibou also active on that side. Lebreton added a second four minutes later.
Tel’s second arrived after Valentin Atangana forced the issue with sharp pressing, allowing the former Rennes forward to finish with a delicate chipped effort. Tabibou made it 4-0 early in the second half before Tel completed his treble with a low strike past the overworked Swiss goalkeeper.
Ngoura extended the lead in the 64th minute and Danois completed the scoring in stoppage time. The scale of the defeat proved costly for Switzerland, who lost second place in the group and the route into the play-offs.
Tel reaches Édouard’s mark
Tel had entered the fixture one goal short of Édouard’s 17-goal total for the France Under-21 team. Three goals later, he had drawn level with the record.
“My brother had been teasing me about it for months,” Tel said. “It was in the back of my mind. Qualification was another motivation that helped me give everything. Now I’m very happy.”
France coach Gérald Baticle has used 43 players since September 2025, giving him a broad picture of his options ahead of the finals. David Bettoni, formerly Zinédine Zidane’s assistant, watched from the stands in Orléans.
The next challenge for Baticle will be securing player releases from their clubs. The tournament in Albania and Serbia runs from June 16 to July 3, outside the FIFA international calendar.
“You can feel this group wants to be together,” Baticle said. “The players enjoy themselves on the pitch and away from it as well.”
France will learn their group-stage opponents when the draw is held on November 26.
