the Bleues sign a prestigious success in Sweden and fly to the top of their group

Four days after its victory against Ireland, the France team continued against the Olympic vice-champions (1-0) on Tuesday in Gothenburg.

Three points that are worth a lot. In the rain of Gothenburg, the French team defeated Sweden (1-0) on Tuesday, April 9, for the second day of Euro 2025 qualifying. Concerned, the French found the fault ten minutes from time thanks to their captain, Wendie Renard, on a delivery from Marie-Antoinette Katoto following a corner (81st). A great way to celebrate his return to the eleven after his thigh injury.

This goal came as a deliverance. Overall dominant, the Blues had until then struggled to find dangerous striking situations, despite numerous crosses from Kadidiatou Diani. Too close in the first period to catch a ball sent by her Lyon teammate (36th), Grace Geyoro finally got herself the best opportunity with a long shot (79th).

Hervé Renard and Vicki Becho expelled

While the score remained frozen at Gamla Ullevi, the French camp, aware of the stakes in this game against the Olympic vice-champions and third in the last World Cup, increased the pressure. As proof, coach Hervé Renard was excluded following a protest (59th) following a suspicion of a foul on Eugénie Le Sommer, who was herself very nervous until she left following an injury. Just like Vicki Becho, who received a second yellow card, synonymous with red, in added time after replacing Delphine Cascarino, also affected, before the break (39th).

This 300th success in the history of Les Bleues – the first in Sweden after six unsuccessful trips – is nevertheless logical. When they managed to leave behind the French women active in the pressing, the locals came up against Pauline Peyraud-Magnin or saw Selma Bacha save a shot from Kosovare Asslani in front of her line (41st). Enough to disgust the more than 11,000 Swedish spectators present.

With this result, the French are now five points ahead of the Scandinavians at the head of this pool of death, of which only the first two places qualify for the 2025 European Championship. A small cushion allowing us to approach with more of serenity the double confrontation of the next gathering against England, who won in Ireland (2-0) Tuesday evening.