Saturday’s Group F matchup between France and Brazil lived up to its billing, with the two heavy hitters going pound-for-pound, as Les Bleus charged to a 2–1 win in the Women’s World Cup. The victory—spurred by two France veterans, Eugenie Le Sommer and captain Wendie Renard—was a powerful statement following Les Bleus’ scoreless draw against Jamaica.
Fans packed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, and made their presence known throughout the match—the Brazil contingency particularly visible, coating the venue with canary yellow and green. The end-to-end fixture gave plenty for both sides to cheer for, with the matchup going back and forth for nearly all 99 minutes of play.
The first half, however, was all France, clamping down and quieting Brazil’s high-tempo attack, while punishing Pia Sundhage’s squad on the counterpress. Les Bleus put their stamp on the punchy opening minutes, with Le Sommer burying the game’s first goal, her 90th for France. The play started with a well-placed lofted cross into the box from Sakina Karchaoui, finding Kadidiatou Diani, who nodded the ball in Le Sommer’s path, with France’s all-time leading goalscorer finishing it off to go up 1–0 at the 17-minute mark.
