The French beat Panama (6-3) on Wednesday in Sidney, validating their ticket for the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup. Held in check by Jamaica, Brazil is eliminated.
Published on: 02/08/2023 – 14:17
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Goal deluge in Sidney. Les Bleues validated their ticket for the second phase of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday August 2. Hervé Renard’s players triumphed over Panama with the score of 6 goals to 3, and finished in first place in group F.
The French were however surprised from the start of the match, with an opener by Panama after less than two minutes of play. Marta Cox directly fired a free kick conceded by the French defense. With a sublime and powerful strike, the Panamanian striker allowed her team to lead 1 goal to 0. The French reacted in the minutes that followed, like Kadidiatou Diani and Selma Bacha, but failed to slip the ball in the back of the net.
Hervé Renard’s players managed to equalize in the 21st minute. Maelle Lakrar headed in a cross from Clara Mateo. The ball is deflected into his own goal by Panamanian midfielder Deysire Salazar.
Les Bleues took the lead seven minutes later, in the 28th minute. From the right side, Vicki Becho sends a center back for Kadidiatou Diani. The latter tries to score with a backheel, but the ball is pushed back. She turns around quickly, tries her luck again with a heavy strike under the crossbar, scores, and allows France to take the lead. The French striker offers a double on penalty in the 37th minute.
Les Bleues score a fourth goal just before half-time. Léa Le Garrec, left side, crosses, returning, with the right foot. The ball is not touched by anyone, bounces, and surprises the Panamanian goalkeeper. It ends in the skylight, and allows France to lead 4 goals to 1 at the break.
Goal deluge
In the 52nd minute, the French are granted a new penalty after a Panamanian handball in the area. Kadidiatou Diani transforms him, and offers himself a hat-trick. 5-1 for the Blues.
Panama reduced the gap in the 64th minute, on a new penalty – the third of the game – after a foul by Elisa De Almeida on Riley Tanner. Transformed by Yomira Pinzon for the first time, the Panamanian player must remove it. She still scored her goal in a second time.
The Panamanians score a third goal in the 87th minute. From a free kick taken from afar in the French area, the ball finds no one, bounces, and fails on the crossbar. But Lineth Cedeno followed and placed a header in the French goal. Although the referee asked to check if the goal was valid…it is granted. Five goals to three.
But the French did not let go and scored a sixth goal in added time in the second half, in the 99th minute, thanks to Vicki Becho.
The score will not change: six goals to three for the Blue. Hervé Renard’s players largely won and won their ticket to the round of 16 of the tournament.
