Friday at the Saint-Symphorien stadium in Metz, it was an opportunity to regain a little confidence after the setback in Seville on February 28 in the final of the League of Nations (2-0), where the Blues had been tactically outclassed, physically, technically and mentally by the Spanish women.

Led by captain Grace Geyoro due to the presence on the bench of captains Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer, Hervé Renard's players took the lead in the group thanks to this narrow victory against the most affordable opponent of the group (25th Fifa).

Les Bleues take control of Group A3 after this first match 📊👊#FRAIRL #FiersdetreBleues pic.twitter.com/wqnRgBbv1U

— French Women’s Team (@equipedefranceF) April 5, 2024

They took advantage of the draw (1-1) between England and Sweden, who were playing at the same time at Wembley, in London.

This success for Les Bleues was essential as their qualifying group for Euro 2025, in Switzerland, is strong, with England, reigning European champion and vice-world champion, and the semi-finalist of the last World Cup, Sweden, where the Blues travel on Tuesday evening (7:00 p.m.).

“We found good feelings” even if “efficiency was lacking”, rejoiced Sandie Toletti in the mixed zone, like Maëlle Lakrar: “We wanted to catch up after the match against Spain and create some good play” , without being able to score “the number of goals we would have wanted”.

“I am very satisfied with this match in the state of mind, in the desire to move forward, to press this Irish team”, reacted the coach after the match, even if the Bleues “could have been more effective” in the surface.

Lacking technical accuracy in the last thirty meters, they opened the scoring on a set piece thanks to a combination between the shooter Kenza Dali for Maëlle Lakrar, who delivered perfectly towards the PSG attacker Marie-Antoinette Katoto (6th ).

Of the last ten goals scored by the Blues, seven were from a set phase (corner, free kick or penalty).

Disturbed return of Wendie Renard

Uninspired despite their possession and apart from good pressing when they lost the ball, they had difficulty finding themselves, especially in front between Delphine Cascarino, Katoto, Kadidiatou Diani and Grace Geyoro, attacking midfielder.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto scores the winning goal in Metz on April 5, 2024 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

More mobile than Katoto, Eugénie Le Sommer, who entered her place at the hour mark, was immediately more found, author of a powerful header on the crossbar following a cross from Diani (66th) .

The connection between the two Lyonnaises was more visible in a few minutes than with Katoto, who did the minimum for an hour despite his 28th goal in Blue.

More liberated in the second half, Diani was very close to doubling the lead, well launched by Kenza Dali (70th) in her right lane.

But Hervé Renard's players will have to significantly raise their level on Tuesday against the more technical Swedes and be more precise in front of goal. They will have fewer possibilities than Friday and their twenty shots.

It will also take a little more this summer to be able to claim an Olympic medal.

Already beaten last July (3-0), the Irish only tried their luck once against Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, very calm throughout the match.

The good news for the Blues is the entry of Wendie Renard after four months of absence due to a quadriceps injury.

But his return was disrupted by discomfort due to hypoglycemia at the very end of the match (90+4), according to the Blue staff.

The captain, who will be able to bring all her experience against Sweden which was so lacking against Spain, seemed to be dizzy and left for a few seconds before returning to the field for the last two minutes.

“I don’t have the information,” Hervé Renard responded after the match, adding with a smile: “I told him that ‘it’s been a long time since you made a header’.” “She felt a little unwell but it was okay in the locker room,” said Sandie Toletti.

With AFP

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