Les Bleues conceded a draw on Sunday against Jamaica (0-0). Before that, the Netherlands logically dominated Portugal while Sweden won in extremis against South Africa.
An entry-cons performance for France. Hervé Renard’s players failed to do better than a draw against Jamaica (0-0) on Sunday July 23. After the successful debut of the United States, reigning world champions, the two other nations present on the podium of the last World Cup also entered the scene. Finalists of the previous edition, the Netherlands won without shining against Portugal (1-0), thanks to a goal from Stephanie van der Gragt. South Africa did not go far from the feat against Sweden but lost in the last minutes of the match (1-2). Here’s what to remember from the last matches of the weekend.
Sad first for the Blues
In a Sydney Football Stadium won over to the cause of the Jamaicans, the French remained silent (0-0) while the opposition against the 43rd nation in the world foreshadowed an unbalanced match. Embarrassed by the physical impact offered by the Reggae Girlz, in particular the star striker Khadija Shaw, the semi-finalists of the last Euro struggled to establish their domination and conceded a draw.
Kadidiatou Diani had no less than five good situations to open the scoring but lacked success. With only one point taken, France leaves the field open to Brazil – which plays Panama on Monday – to take the lead in the pool.
Fifth World Cup with Sweden for Caroline Seger, a record
Caroline Seger, initially announced forfeit for this meeting against South Africa, finally played a few minutes in Sweden’s first match. Entry in place of Elin Rubensson in the 81st minute of play, the emblematic captain of the Blagult thus started the fifth World Cup of his career, a historic record in the Scandinavian country.
The storytellers will say that she was the extra soul necessary for the victory of her team, snatched at the last minute of regulation time. But the true story of Caroline Seger under the yellow and blue tunic still retains a taste of unfinished business.
Since her first selection in 2005, the 38-year-old player has never brought back a major title in the country, which has been waiting for her since Euro 1984. al, without success so far.
The attack of the Netherlands to the penalty
In the absence of the top scorer in its history, Vivianne Miedema (115 caps, 95 goals), injured in the cruciate ligaments of the knee, the attack of the Netherlands was expected. From the 10th minute, Stephanie van der Gragt’s opener, following a corner kick, could have suggested an attacking festival. It has not happened.
If they were never really worried by the Portuguese offensives, the Orange didn’t shine in the opposing half either. The vice-world champions only found the net once out of their twelve attempts. The Dutch coach Andries Jonker has four days to find the right formula before facing the United States, executioners of the Netherlands at the last World Cup.