Author: Soorya G
In a thrilling match at Lang Park in Brisbane, captain Wendie Renard’s decisive header secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for France over Brazil in Group F of the Women’s World Cup. Herve Renard’s side got their first win after starting the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica. After two rounds, France and Jamaica have 4 points each and Brazil 3. Panama, who have lost twice, are in last place with zero points. In the last round, France will play Panama and Brazil must beat Jamaica to reach the last 16.
France’s all-time leading scorer, Le Sommer, gave her side an early lead in the 17th minute, taking advantage of Sakina Karchaoui’s well-placed cross from the left. His header found the back of the net after being headed in by Kadidiatou Diani. Brazil had the chance to equalize in the first half when Adriana tried a shot on goal, but missed the target after Debinha’s pass.
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In the second half, Pia Sundhage’s Brazilian side managed to level the score in the 58th minute when Debinha calmly slotted the ball past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after Kerolin’s initial attempt was deflected by Le Sommer.
As the match entered its decisive moments, France stepped up their attack, and it was captain Wendie Renard who became the hero. Seven minutes from the end of the game, she met Selma Bacha’s corner with a powerful header that bounced off the turf and over goalkeeper Letizia, securing the three points for France.
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With this victory, France now have four points from their first two games, maintaining a one-point lead over the Brazilian team, who had already started the tournament with a
convincing 4-0 win over Panama.
. Victory over the mighty Brazil guarantees qualification for the last 16, but the French will be eager to close out the group stage by beating Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Brazil will be a little disappointed with the defeat and, even more so, with the way the game was lost. After equalizing the game 15 minutes into the second half, Brazil feel they should have held on, but the crushing win against Panama will give them confidence ahead of their final game. However, the game against Jamaica will be a do-or-die battle, with the winner progressing to the next round. Brazil will be the favorites, but will be aware of Jamaica’s ability to cause an upset.
Pia Sandhage: “I hadn’t initially prepared our players so well to make the connections on the pitch. Because everything seemed to be working so well before. But the first 30 minutes of the match were a big moment, crucial for both teams, and our team lacked a kind of rapport. There was no boldness or joy in the first half. Of course, mistakes happen and that’s not a problem, but you have to recover from them. In the second half, we chased the score and created some good chances.“
The coach stressed that in the third round, against Jamaica, her players need to be totally focused. But at the same time, they’re a happy team who play a great Brazilian game.
Debigny: “We came back differently in the second half and we felt that, but I think we could have started with that intensity. They had the opportunity they wanted, they wanted that aerial move and they succeeded, they lacked attention. We knew that this game was going to be decided in the smallest of details and so it was“.
Second round results
Group A
New Zealand – Philippines 0-1, Switzerland – Norway 0-0
Group B
Canada – Ireland 2-1, Australia – Nigeria 2-3
Group C
Japan – Costa Rica 2-0, Spain – Zambia 5-0
Group D
England – Denmark 1-0, China – Haiti 1-0
Group E
USA – Netherlands 1-1, Portugal – Vietnam 2-0
Group F
France – BRAZIL 2-1, Panama – Jamaica 1-0
Group G
Argentina – South Africa 2-2, Sweden – Italy 5-0
Group H
South Korea – Morocco 0-1, Germany – Colombia 1-2