Disturbing and then excited. Hervé Renard's women's France team made its debut by toppling Colombia (5-2). And this thanks to the double of the returning Eugenie Le Sommer and the choices of his new coach, Friday, April 7, in friendly in Clermont-Ferrand.

Dr. Renard has not yet cured all the blue ailments. But he was able to find the resources to obtain his first victory at the helm of the selection, which launches the preparation of the World Cup-2023 (July 20-August 20).

Three goals in eight minutes, including a double from Le Sommer just before the hour mark (56th, 60th), allowed the French coach to finally breathe, after a catastrophic first period and two Colombian goals on two identical sequences, free kicks following avoidable fouls by captain Wendie Renard (38th, 52nd).

The world in focus

The road to the world title this summer in Australia and New Zealand, an assumed dream of French women's football, remains as tortuous as ever after this two-faced introduction. But the Habs had the merit of tipping the scales on the right side, thanks to an exciting second period.

"Everything will not be perfect, I know, we are not magicians. We are already at a very good level but we will have to be much more solid because the World Cup is something else," said Hervé Renard after the game, happy to have gained "good lessons".

The "blond wizard" is decidedly the man of half-time, like his memorable words when he led Saudi Arabia against Argentina (2-1) at the Qatari World Cup this winter.

>> Read also: Blues: ambitions, staff and returns... The six teachings of Hervé Renard's beginnings

His speech in the dressing room of the Gabriel-Montpied stadium on Friday has not yet leaked but it has had the desired effect on his troops, transfigured on their return to the field.

By making three substitutions after 45 minutes of play, the new coach was also right, since two entrants were decisive, with a double (52nd, 73rd) and an assist for Delphine Cascarino, as well as a goal (90th + 1) and an assist for Grace Geyoro.

Given their sensational entry, these two may well be starters Tuesday (21:10) during the clash against the Canadian Olympic champions, at Le Mans.

The return of Eugenie Le Sommer

Renard's success also depends on the winning return of Eugenie Le Sommer. Barred by former coach Corinne Diacre for two years, the Lyonnaise was titular from the start and it was she who revived the France, an express double to which the French coach reacted with a kiss on the head of the striker.

With 88 goals in 176 caps, the 33-year-old striker stretches her record of goals in selection and may keep smiling for a few more days...

Amel Majri, the other returnee (injury then pregnancy) scored much fewer points.

Forty good minutes against the modest 26th world nation will not be enough, however, to erase the unprecedented crisis of recent weeks, which had led to the departure of Deacon on March 9 after a sling of several cadres.

A defense to strengthen

Hervé Renard, who already had no voice at half-time, knows that his team is not healed, the inaccuracies of the beginning of the match prove it.

This is particularly the case of its defensive sector: Wendie Renard, central figure of the recent rebellion who had warned that she would "assume" his choices, was for example totally overtaken by Mayra Ramirez.

Elisa De Almeida and Eve Périsset, for their part, were totally bewitched by the "nugget" of Real Madrid, Linda Caicedo, 18 years old and the only star of the Colombian squad.

The reaction of pride still made it possible to prolong the general euphoria that reigned in recent days in the locker room. An enthusiasm that also spread in the stands, with the arrival of the entire staff of Olympique Lyonnais, from president Jean-Michel Aulas to coach Sonia Bompastor through former captain Amandine Henry, currently injured.

Seeing the latter at the bedside of the Blues, from which she was excluded under Corinne Diacre since the end of 2020, is a strong sign for the World Cup.

With AFP

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