Hervé Renard’s Les Bleues secured their ticket to Euro 2025 this Thursday evening by beating Sweden with difficulty (2-1) in Dijon.
Mission accomplished for the Bleues. Thirteen days before the Olympic Games, the French women’s team beat Sweden (2-1) thanks to goals from Sakina Karchaoui and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, this Thursday evening at the Gaston Gérard stadium in Dijon. A success synonymous with qualification for Euro 2025 which will take place in Switzerland next summer.
Forgotten the first failed act that had precipitated the defeat against England (1-2) last June, the Bleues have learned their lesson. To start off with a bang against Sweden. From the very first moments, Hervé Renard’s players dominated the debates, multiplying the crosses and combinations on the wings. Elusive on the right side, Cascarino missed a first dangerous shot (4th) then Diani hit the post (9th). All that was missing was the goal to validate the total domination of the Tricolores, who were little worried defensively except for a breakthrough by Rolfö (26th). The Swedish goalkeeper Musovic held the fort, disgusted De Almeida (25th) but could do nothing against the gem signed by Karchaoui. The floating shot from the Parisian, served from 25 meters, found the top corner to free the attractive Bleues and offer her second goal in selection (1-0, 32nd). The only regret of the first 45 minutes was not even having made the break, as the situations piled up, like Dali who missed his one-on-one with Musovic (44th).
Sweden reacts, Katoto emerges
At half-time, France found themselves virtually qualified for Euro 2025, their main objective of the evening. An objective that was called into question as soon as they returned from the locker room when Rybrink, alone at the far post on a corner deflected by Toletti, equalized with a clear half-volley (1-1, 48th). Sweden, undoubtedly shaken at half-time, showed a more conquering face and the French suffered. The balance of power reversed as the minutes went by, while England made sure of the blow at the same time against Ireland (2-1). The French seemed on the verge of breaking down, before finding their second wind in the wake of Baltimore in particular, very impactful on her left wing when she came on as a substitute. The Dijon crowd pushed and the danger returned to the Swedish goal. Geyoro came close to making it 2-1 from close range (72nd), a release found in the process by Katoto, on the lookout at six meters following a header from Renard on a corner (2-1, 74th). This time, the hardest part was done. The Blues, with courage, held firm in the last quarter of an hour despite a shiver at the last second (Sweden hit the bar).
Now qualified for Euro 2025, the French team will go to Ireland with peace of mind next Tuesday to close its qualifying phase. An ideal preparation that will then lead it to the Olympic Games and its opening match against Colombia on July 25.
