England will be the big absentee from the Olympic women’s tournament this summer. But the European champions in 2022 and vice-world champions in 2023 represented a huge test for the French team less than two months before the start of the Paris Olympics. A brilliantly successful event for the selection of Hervé Renard, who won (2-1) in Newcastle. With three successes in three qualifying matches, the Blues are fast approaching Euro 2025. Above all, they are making an impression and sending a message to all their opponents in the quest for Olympic gold…
Because there was reason to doubt for the Tricolores before this trip to the north of England, where they were welcomed by a packed St-James Park of 42,561 spectators. The last shock of this level, played in Spain at the end of February, turned into a demonstration. The season was tiring for a large part of the group (notably the Parisiennes and the Lyonnaises). And we had to do without Griedge Mbock, Eugénie Le Sommer or Grace Geyoro, only starters absent at kick-off.
The first half hour initially confirmed the doubts. Despite the early loss of its goalkeeper, Mary Earps after 8 minutes of play, England played their game. A first triangle play, on the left, sounded the alarm in front of the cage of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (23rd). The second was the good one: a wonderful pass from captain Leah Williamson from the defense, followed by a cross from Lauren Hemp for Beth Mead, who could adjust “PPM” (30th).
Katoto, still a scorer
Without Hervé Renard, suspended and exiled in the stands, the French team woke up, as often, on set pieces, with a header on target from Maëlle Lakrar (34th), captured with difficulty by Hannah Hampton. Before a great feat from Elisa de Almeida on another corner, taken by Kenza Dali. The Parisian defender equalized with a superb right volley with her back to goal (41st). In her goal, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin then confirmed her coach’s confidence by releasing a huge right-hand save on a curl from Beth Mead (45th + 5).
With nine goals out of the last twelve scored from set pieces, the Blues recalled their main strength. But, this time, the teammates of Wendie Renard, captain for the 84th time (a record shared with Sandrine Soubeyrand), had much more. A clear and applied game plan against the English who were exhausted after returning from the locker room. And it was after another corner that Kadidiatou Diani managed to find Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the area. The PSG attacker slammed the second right volley of the evening into the back of the net (69th).
The 29th goal in 38 selections for Katoto, replaced in added time by the great hope Louna Ribadeira for her first selection. Enough to further enhance the beautiful evening of the Bleues, who are leaving England fully pumped up. There will be a rematch, this Tuesday, June 4, in Saint-Etienne.
England-France: 1-2 (half-time: 1-1).
Spectators: 42,561.
Referee: Ms. Huerta de Aza (ESP).
Goals. England: Mead (30th). France: De Almeida (41st), Katoto (69th).
Warnings. England: Carter (45th). France: Lakrar (70th).
Angleterre : Earps (Hampton, 8e) – Bronze, Bright, Williamson (cap.), Carter – Stanway (Kirby, 79e), Walsh, Toone – Mead (Kelly, 79e), Russo, Hemp. Entr. : Wiegman.
France: Peyraud-Magnin – De Almeida (Périsset, 86th), Lakrar, W. Renard (cap.), Bacha – Dali (Le Garrec, 90th), Toletti, Karchaoui – Diani, Katoto (Ribadeira, 90th), D. Cascarino (Henry, 69th). Enter. : H. Fox.
