The early and grimacing exit of the serial-scorer is a serious hitch in the plan of the France team, yet well executed from an arithmetic point of view.

The next medical bulletins will be eagerly awaited concerning "MAK", back on crutches after halftime...

France team striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto leaves the field after injuring her right knee during the Euro 2022 match against Belgium on July 14, 2022 at New York Stadium in Rotherham ( England) Oli SCARFF AFP

In the meantime, the formation of Corinne Deacon has made life easier in this first round, with a qualification and a first group place already acquired before even facing Iceland next Monday, still in Rotherham.

Les Bleues are not going to leave the small New York Stadium anytime soon (less than 8,200 spectators on Thursday) since they will pass their first capital test there, on July 23 in the quarterfinals, probably against Sweden, Olympic vice-champion, or the -Bas, reigning European champions.

The level of adversity will certainly rise several notches, after the initial electrifying ride against Italy (5-1) and the much narrower success against Belgium, a deserving team despite their weaker pedigree.

Among the good news, the French team can count on the explosiveness of its sides to blast the grouped blocks, with two pairs already very well established: Sakina Karchaoui and Delphine Cascarino on the left, Eve Perisset and Kadidiatou Diani on the right.

Missed opportunities

The diamond Diani shone again on Thursday with rides, dribbles and a precious presence in the area, as on the opening of the early score where his pricked header hit the mark on a cross from Karchaoui (6th, 1-0).

The joy of French striker Kadidiatou Diani, after opening the scoring against Belgium, during their Euro match, July 14, 2022 at New York Stadium in Rotherham (England) FRANCK FIFE AFP

The brilliance of the hot start soon faded, however, when Katoto's momentum was broken on an innocuous offensive phase.

The center-forward of PSG stopped running, displaying a grin of pain before leaving the field in great pain and limping.

"It doesn't seem bad but she's in pain anyway," said coach Corinne Deacon on TF1 at halftime.

His striker, hit in the knee the day before in training, watched the rest of the match from the stand, crutches at hand.

This twist of fate did not change the face of the match, to the advantage of the Blues, but they were still surprised on the first shot of the Red Flames, signed Janice Cayman (36th, 1-1).

The joy of Belgian striker Janice Cayman, after equalizing (1-1) against France, during their Euro match, July 14, 2022 at New York Stadium in Rotherham (England) Oli SCARFF AFP

The Belgian from OL played a bad trick on her club partners, leaving behind Griedge Mbock and getting the better of Wendie Renard in the box.

The equalizer highlighted the friability of the tricolor rearguard, in sequence, a porosity already seen in the second half against Italy.

Left on the bench four days earlier, to everyone's surprise, Mbock did not play for long, however, because the release came from his head (41st, 2-1) after a strong cross from Clara Matéo, the other player to have earned her starting stripes on Thursday.

French defender Griedge Mbock Bathy (c), congratulated by her teammates after scoring the second goal against Belgium, during their Euro match, July 14, 2022 at New York Stadium in Rotherham (England) FRANCK FIFE AFP

All smiles, the OL central defender came to celebrate her 8th international goal with Aïssatou Tounkara, her great friend and competitor, who had stolen her place against Italy.

Ouleymata Sarr (68th) and especially Wendie Renard (90th) had the opportunity to offer a more flattering score to the Blue, but Katoto's replacement missed her recovery then the captain completely missed her penalty.

© 2022 AFP