2023-07-23 13:58:28
Les Bleues failed to win against Jamaica (0-0) on Sunday in Sydney. A frustrating result against Reggae Girlz who were not unworthy, and who scored their first point in the World Cup.
Published on: 07/23/2023 – 13:58
4 mn
Les Bleues started their 2023 Women’s World Cup with a draw (0-0) against Jamaica at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Sunday July 23. For this first World Cup match, coach Hervé Renard chose to start in 4-4-2. He abandoned his traditional 4-3-3 due to an injury-limited squad. Opposite, Jamaica is also aligned in 4-4-2, with its star Khadija Shaw on the front of the attack.
Les Bleues start the match with determination and try to get their bearings. The Reggae Girlz are, for their part, well established. This gives a rather closed start to the match, until this French free kick which sends a first shiver in the opposing area (10th)… but the Jamaican defense ends up clearing the ball.
The Jamaican star Shaw is very restless at the start of the match, causing several faults on the French side to stop his progress. But apart from fine movements in midfield, the two selections failed to create chances in the first 25 minutes. There is also technical inaccuracy on both sides.
Les Bleues must therefore rely on set pieces, as on this free kick from Majri taken from the top of the head by Le Sommer, but the ball is easily captured by Spencer (28th). An action like this somewhat messy match, where neither the Blues nor the Jamaicans manage to create danger in the opposing area.
We finally have to wait for the 36th minute to see a first French opportunity. On a good projection, Mateo shifts Diani to his right, and the latter arms a low shot deflected for a corner by Spencer. Five minutes later, it’s Jamaica’s first opportunity: Shaw causes another foul and takes the free kick herself from 25 meters with a powerful shot, which grazes Peyraud-Magnin’s cage.
Les Bleues finished the first half better in added time: Diani was very close to opening the scoring on a deflected shot by Swaby (45th + 5). But at halftime, the Blues and the Reggae Girlz logically return to the locker room with an unspectacular 0-0 for the moment.
Diani hits the crossbar
Les Bleues come back with better intentions in the second half, like the rush of Le Sommer (48th), but the free kick then still lacks accuracy. Le Sommer, still, makes a nice move and overflows on the right side before crossing at the far post for Diani, but the latter fails to frame her header (54th). Toletti, also well placed at the reception of a corner, lacks precision on her volley which flies over the Jamaican goal (57th).
Les Bleues still haven’t found the net but have been more dynamic since their return from the locker room. Hervé Renard probably feels that the team needs fresh blood to tip the balance in the right direction, he brings in Dali and Becho in place of Majri and Mateo (66th). In the aftermath, Diani, on receiving a good cross in the opposing area, still fails to frame his header (67th).
When approaching the last twenty minutes of regulation time, we feel the Blues frustrated by their inability to open the scoring. But they don’t seem resigned. Opposite, the Jamaicans seem a little blunt, but hold on to this point of the draw.
We are entering the last ten minutes of regulation time, but the Blues still cannot find the fault despite several set pieces. Lakrar does try an interesting header from a corner, but the ball flies just above Spencer’s crossbar (88th). Then Diani almost opens the mark, but his head hits the crossbar (90th).
The French still have six minutes of additional time to score this small goal which escapes them, especially as they finish the match in numerical superiority after the expulsion of Shaw (92nd). But nothing helps: even at 10 against 11, the Blues ultimately fail to find the key to victory.
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