While aiming for the semis, the French were unable to overthrow Australia at home. Damage.
The French team will not match its best performance in the World Cup, achieved in 2011. Like four years ago, its journey in the most beautiful of competitions stops at the quarter-final stage. The Tricolores stumbled this Saturday on the host country, Australia, with a furious defeat on penalties (0-0 aptb 6-7).
Les Bleues too timorous
Les Bleues have therefore come up against their glass ceiling, but we cannot say that their elimination will have been unfair. In this match, Le Sommer and her teammates were below their opponents. It was even a miracle that they managed to reach extra time.
On his line, Peyraud-Magnin had to multiply the saves to preserve his team in the match. On many occasions, and in particular in the second half, she neutralized the attempts of the Australians. Two of which are very dangerous from Fowler. With this magnificent performance delivered, she thought she was the heroine of the game, but the logic ended up being respected anyway.
The best French chances came mainly in the first 20 minutes of the match, with grazing strikes from Le Sommer and Diani. They announced a good match from the visitors, but it was misleading. Gradually, the balance of power was reversed and the Habs spent most of their time defending.
The heist was not far
While suffering for most of the time, the Blues could still have won. At the end of the 1e extra time, there was a goal against his Australian camp (100th), but the referee refused it for a push by Wendie Renard on an opponent. This was debatable. On the other hand, there should never have been a corner on the action which preceded, which perhaps tempers the frustration of the Lyonnaise. On the other hand, we can mention a shot by Becho at the 107ewhich forced the Australian goalkeeper to a nice save.
France missed their chance and so the penalty shootout lottery smiled on the hosts. Pushed by their public, the Australians will have been more skilful, with only two failures wiped. This is not the case of Selma Bacha, the first shooter who failed at the start. Perrisset, Becho and Dali also missed their respective attempts. And Renard’s bet to bring Durand in place of Peyraud-Magnin to stop the penalties will not have been a winner.
At the end of an attractive course but which will therefore have ended in the face of the first big obstacle, the French women are therefore returning home. Hervé Renard will not have succeeded in doing better than Corinne Deacon. The progress is still there and the famous technician will have the chance to do better next year on the occasion of the Olympic Games.
