France opened their Women’s World Cup account with a frustrating goalless draw against Jamaica in Sydney on Sunday.
The side managed by Herve Renard, formerly in charge of the Saudi Arabia and Ivory Coast men’s teams, struggled to create chances against the Caribbean outfit and were thus unable to begin their campaign with a win.
Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw was sent off for Jamaica in stoppage time for a second bookable offence, and will now miss their next match against Panama, but the French could not make the extra player count as Jamaica held firm and earned their first-ever point at a Women’s World Cup.
Elsewhere, the Netherlands made a winning start to the World Cup as they beat debutants Portugal 1-0 in Dunedin on Sunday.
Free-agent defender Stefanie van der Gragt headed home from a 13th-minute corner for what proved to be the only goal of the match, providing the 2019 finalists with the perfect start to their campaign in New Zealand.
It means they now sit second in Group E on goal difference, just behind tournament favourites the United States, who beat first-timers Vietnam 3-0 on Saturday.
Earlier on Sunday, Sweden left it late to beat South Africa in Wellington.
South Africa took the lead when Hildah Magaia put them ahead just after the break through a swift counter-attack. Yet the Swedes forced their way back — level on the hour mark through Fridolina Rolfo before mustering their winning moment in the 90th minute when Amanda Ilestedt headed in.
Monday sees Italy take on Argentina and Germany face Morocco, before Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama in France’s group.
