A successful first. The Blue did not miss their entry into this group phase of the Women's Euro. Opposed to the English, reigning European champions, at the end of the first day, the players of Laurent Bonadei won 2-1 at the end of a controlled match, despite the start of a slow meeting. Cold picked by very pressing lionesses, the French took a few minutes to put themselves in the rhythm, conceding a first alert from the 2nd minute on a strike from James, fortunately not framed.
It took ten minutes to see the French team free themselves and set foot on the ball. The first offensive sequences were drawn, in particular through Cascarino, very restless on its side. A first serious warning was launched in the 25th minute, when Sakina Karchaoui tried a daring lob which finished in the small external net, illustrating the renewed confidence of the Habs.
Katototo and Baltimore make the difference in three minutes
French domination materialized shortly after half an hour of play. Marie-Antoinette Katoto opened the scoring in the 36th minute on a perfect service in Cascarino. With this 39th goal in the French team, the attacker equal Wendie Renard in the ranking of the best tricolor spacing. Three minutes later, it was Baltimore who doubled the putting on a superb individual action, setting a right foot strike in the opposite skylight.
The second half saw the Bleues manage their advance with seriousness, with in particular the entry into play of Kadidiatou Diani, Clara Matéo and Melvine Malard to maintain the offensive intensity. England has never really managed to approach the French goal … until the 87th minute. On a corner, Walsh took advantage of a floating ball at the entrance to the surface to deceive Peyraud-Magnin and reduce the gap. The last five minutes have been stretched, but the French defense stood good.
Next step for French women: a duel against Wales Wednesday at 9 p.m. The Welshmans, 3-0 defeats by the Netherlands earlier during the day, will be keen to catch up. But with the confidence gathered and an already decisive katoto, the Bleues can approach this meeting with ambition.
