Les Bleues under pressure before playing their qualification against New Zealand

Beaten by Canada on the gong, the French team made things more complicated for themselves in the race for the quarter-finals before challenging the Ferns in Lyon on Wednesday.

If only one minute had passed, the matter would have been settled for qualification and it would have been a question of going to validate the first place in the group against New Zealand, Wednesday July 31, in the furnace of the Stade de Lyon. By conceding a second Canadian goal in the 102nd minute on Sunday, the Bleues missed the opportunity to pick up the point that would have allowed them to reach the quarter-finals directly. Enough to put them under pressure before this final day of group play.

Especially since the culpable apathy during the second periods against Colombia (3-2) and Canada (1-2) greatly worried about the French team’s ability to sabotage themselves. “It’s not a physical problem. I don’t think it’s a mental problem either. It’s too easy to say that. We need to talk about football again before talking about mental issues. There are too many technical errors, too much waste to hope for anything. We didn’t play intelligently.”raged Kenza Dali after the defeat against the Canucks.

“Difficulties sometimes help us to mobilize a little more, to make a little more effort and not to repeat the same mistakestempered Hervé Renard on Tuesday at a press conference, calling for more “maturity” to manage the scores. And to add, less measured: “I did what I knew how to do, without necessarily doing everything well. But it’s up to the players to dig deep into their guts. If you play in the Olympics and you don’t realize that you have an incredible chance… it’s worrying.”

To make matters worse, Wendie Renard, who suffered a crutch on her left quadriceps in Saint-Etienne, is uncertain. The absence of the captain – who stayed to train indoors on Tuesday – would be a major problem, as she has never missed a match for Les Bleues at the Games (starting in all 12 contested). Especially since the other historic leader of the selection, Eugénie Le Sommer, has been weakened by physical problems since the start of the tournament, despite her return “likely” in the group.

“If Wendie is not there, we need players to take over because we need leaders on the field. We have to assume our responsibilities. It is not given to everyone. Some have to force themselves in this direction.”

Herve Renard

at a press conference

In their short preparation, the French women also had to deal with extra-sporting uncertainty. Punished with a six-point deduction for a spying case, Canada appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is due to rule on Wednesday at noon. A reduction, or even a removal of the sanction could allow the Olympic champions to get back on track and add another unknown to the equation facing the French players.

Tied on points with Colombia, they know that their ranking could be decided by goal difference, even if they win against a New Zealand within their reach. Knowing that the probability of inheriting a big chunk in the next round in the event of second or third place is high (Germany, Spain and the United States are among the potential opponents). Les Bleues would therefore be inspired to put in a successful performance to offer themselves a more affordable quarter-final.