Black Princesses suffer heavy France defeat to exit U-20 Women's World Cup

Ghana's Black Princesses have once again fallen short of reaching the knockout stage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup after a crushing 4-0 defeat by France in their final Group C match in Poland.

Needing at least a draw to keep their qualification hopes alive, the Black Princesses were unable to withstand a dominant second-half display from the European side, ending their campaign at the group stage for the eighth consecutive tournament since making their debut in 2010.

Ghana entered the decisive fixture buoyed by their victory over South Korea, which had revived hopes of a historic first appearance in the knockout rounds.

Head coach Charles Sampson made a solitary change to the side that beat the Asians, with Latifa Abesik replacing the injured Esther Asamoah in the starting line-up.

The Black Princesses thought they had taken an early lead, but Priscilla Mensah's effort was ruled out for offside. Ghana matched France for much of the first half, with both teams heading into the break locked at 0-0.

However, the contest changed dramatically after the interval.

France produced a clinical second-half performance, scoring four unanswered goals to secure top spot in the group and condemn Ghana to a second defeat of the tournament.

The result, coupled with South Korea's victory over Ecuador, left Ghana bottom of Group C on three points. France finished first with seven points, South Korea advanced in second place with four points, while Ecuador claimed third spot.

Ghana's latest group-stage exit extends a frustrating record at the competition, with the Black Princesses still searching for a breakthrough appearance in the knockout rounds.

The defeat also means that three of Africa's representatives have now been eliminated from the tournament, following the earlier exits of Benin and Tanzania.