Le Sommer, Renard rating as France edges Brazil 2-1 on the Women’s World Cup

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) – Eugénie Le Sommer and Wendie Renard revived France’s Women’s World Cup ambitions with a aim every in a 2-1 win over Brazil on Saturday to present Les Bleues the lead in Group F.

After lacking with a diving header within the thirteenth minute, Le Sommer scored her ninetieth worldwide aim to increase her French file 4 minutes later with an emphatic header that gave Brazilian goalkeeper Leticia little likelihood.

Debinha equalized for Brazil because the hour approached and the sport opened up as each groups pressed for a winner, the Brazilians determined to finish an 11-match winless streak in opposition to France.

But it was the set piece the place French captain Renard clinched it, capitalizing on some poor protection.

Renard, who had been unsure for the match with a calf harm she picked up within the lackluster 0-0 draw in opposition to Jamaica, was completely positioned for a back-post header because the towering defender drifted to the sting of the field to satisfy a nook with a strong header within the 83rd.

Hervé Renard has reassembled the French squad since taking up as coach, recalling veterans together with Le Sommer and restoring the arrogance of others like 33-year-old Renard.

After criticism of France’s opening efficiency for its lack of journey and aptitude, his veterans clicked when it counted in opposition to Brazil.

“She’s a leader of the team. She’s efficient at scoring goals like today,” the French coach stated of his captain. “If she wasn’t able to play today, I’m sure it wouldn’t be the same. We were lucky to have her today, congratulations to her to give us the victory for this game.”

Brazil had opened with a thumping 4-0 win over Panama, with Ary Borges scoring three objectives and offering the back-heel help for one of many objectives of the match.

Against a extra disciplined protection, the Brazilians had been principally unable to complete regardless of creating ample alternatives.

Brazil coach Pia Sundhage stated she was disillusioned along with her workforce’s first half and lack of ability to stay with the gameplan and never contesting shortly sufficient for possession. She stated the failure to construct cohesion within the first half was extra of an issue for the workforce than the set-piece protection that conceded France’s second aim.

“I’m more disappointed we couldn’t make this a game where we play like the Brazilian style,” she stated.

Veteran ahead Marta, coming back from harm for her sixth World Cup, went on within the 86th minute however wasn’t in a position to encourage a winner for Brazil.

Le Sommer, who was among the many veterans who missed choice for the European Championship final yr beneath former coach Corinne Diacre, was within the thick of the early motion for France.

The French began with excessive tempo and had three probabilities earlier than Sakina Karchaoui’s lengthy floating ball into the realm discovered Kadidiatou Diani, who headed sq. for Le Sommer to complete off from immediately in entrance.

But the Brazilians began to satisfy them for power, helped by nearly all of an nearly 50,000-strong crowd.

Debinha equalized within the 58th, ending off a fast passing motion into the realm, controlling the ball with the skin of her leg earlier than firing in a right-foot shot.

Le Sommer was changed within the 66th Vicki Becho so as to add some recent legs to the French assault.

Leticia pushed a tough strike over the crossbar to maintain Brazil stage and Selma Bacha hit the facet netting along with her shot from the proper within the seventy fifth, unable to interrupt the impasse for France.

Renard’s late winner lifted France to 4 competitors factors, yet another than Brazil forward of the final group video games on Wednesday. The French will play Panama in Sydney, and Brazil will tackle Jamaica in Melbourne.

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