The international friendly between the England U21s and their French counterparts at the Stade du Moustoir in Lorient proved to be a goal-fest, ending in a 5-3 victory for France.
While Lee Carsley’s return to the England U21 managerial hot seat didn’t yield the desired result, the match served up a captivating spectacle of young talent.
Among the standout performers, Hugo Ekitike stole the show with a clinical hat-trick that underlined his burgeoning reputation as a top striker.
Ekitike’s performance was a masterclass in forward play. England started strong, with James McAtee netting an early goal in the 2nd minute from a set-piece.
However, France responded swiftly.
Quentin Merlin leveled the score just two minutes later, and then the Ekitike show began.
In the 7th minute, he put France ahead, showcasing his predatory instincts in the box.
Harvey Elliott managed to pull one back for England, but the second half belonged to Ekitike.
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 21, 2025
Hugo Ekitike's celebration after scoring a hat-trick against England u21s.
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He completed his hat-trick with two more well-taken goals, demonstrating his lethal finishing ability.
Liam Delap added a third for England, and Elliott had a chance to further reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, but his effort was saved.
Rayan Cherki then sealed the victory for France with a late goal, compounding England’s misery which was further exacerbated by a late red card for Omari Hutchinson following a dangerous tackle.
Despite the thrilling encounter and the flurry of goals, it was something outside the immediate on-field action that sparked a wave of reactions from fans: Hugo Ekitike’s height.
As the French striker stepped in front of the cameras for his post-match interview, many were taken aback by his towering presence.
Didn't know Hugo Ekitike (Man Utd target) is this tall
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) March 22, 2025
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Standing at an impressive 1.9 meters tall – that’s approximately 6 feet and 3 inches – Ekitike surprised viewers who perhaps hadn’t fully registered his physical stature.
The revelation of Ekitike’s height adds another fascinating layer to his already impressive skillset.
While his aerial prowess on crosses is evident, his ability to make intelligent runs behind the defense from open play is equally remarkable.
This combination of height and intelligent movement is a key reason why Ekitike is considered a striker with a potential value in the region of £80-100 million.
Following an excellent season where he is expected to leave Eintracht Frankfurt, having notched up a remarkable 32 goals and assists in 42 appearances, Ekitike is undoubtedly a player Premier League clubs will be keeping a very close eye on as the summer transfer window approaches.
