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Les Bleues started their Olympic tournament with a victory against Colombia on Thursday, but faltered in the second half.
After the success of the Blues on Wednesday, it is the turn of the French women’s team to make a successful entrance. Hervé Renard’s players beat Colombia (3-2) at the Stade de Lyon on Thursday, July 25. With formidable efficiency, the Blues initially thought they had secured themselves before the break, thanks to Marie-Antoinette Katoto, twice (6th and 42nd), and Kenza Dali (16th).
After the break, the match seemed to slip away from them as quickly as they had taken control of it. Catalina Usme’s penalty reduction (54th) should have been insignificant, but Manuela Pavi was quick to put the Colombians back within shooting range (64th). The French team trembled until the final moments: even after Mayra Ramirez was sent off (85th) for a high ball on Selma Bacha, the French continued to endure the Colombian assaults, without however giving in.