And yet Hervé Renard’s Bleues did not experience the Olympic delay in getting going as their male counterparts did, ultimately beating the United States 3-0 on Wednesday evening in Marseille. From the 6e minute in fact, Marie-Antoinette Katoto opened the scoring – scoring her 31e goal in 42 selections.
A perfect start to the match followed by a quick break thanks to Kenza Dali (2-0, 18e). Then in a first act where everything went well for them, a third goal for the Tricolores – the second for Marie-Antoinette Katoto, this time with a header (3-0, 42e) ; its 32e in blue.
Strangely enough, the beautiful French momentum was broken during the break. After the break, the Colombians, unfortunate finalists of the last Copa America (beaten by Brazil 0-1 in the final), were able to take advantage of the opponent’s generosity to resurface.
A failed second period
It was first a penalty conceded by goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin which allowed Catalina Usme to get her team back on track (3-1, 52e). Then a defensive approximation offered the South Americans a second achievement, this time scored by Manuela Pavi (3-2, 64e).
A big warning without any costs on arrival for the Blues, who were able to finish the match with a numerical advantage after the expulsion of Mayra Ramirez (85e) and thus breathe a little. Hervé Renard’s players will need more consistency and confidence in three days against the reigning Canadian Olympic champions, who dominated New Zealand earlier in the day (2-1).
