France has qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Football Championship for women on Thursday. The team that is one of the top favorites for the European title booked a frugal 2-1 win over Belgium in Rotherham.
France is therefore the third country that is sure of a place in the last eight. Germany and the England of national coach Sarina Wiegman also managed to reach the knockout stage.
With six points from two matches, France already knows that it will finish at the top of group D. Iceland (2 points), Belgium and Italy (1 point) fight to see who can advance to the quarter-finals as number two. On Monday at 9 p.m., the group stage will close with Iceland-France and Italy-Belgium.
The Orange Women will closely follow the operations in group D. If the Netherlands makes it to the quarter-finals, a country from that group awaits. The team of national coach Mark Parsons knows that in the event of a group win, it will at least avoid favorite France in the next round.
The failure of Marie-Antoinette Katoto was a setback for France.
The failure of Marie-Antoinette Katoto was a setback for France. Photo: AFP
France plays difficult despite lightning start
France made a big impression in the first group match on Sunday by winning 5-1 against Italy and also in the group match with Belgium initially seemed to be a monster score in the making. Kadidiatou Diani headed in the sixth minute.
After that, however, the French attack machine stalled and after more than half an hour Belgium surprisingly came alongside. Janice Cayman popped free in front of the keeper and shot the ‘Red Flames’ at 1-1.
Nevertheless, France went into the break with a lead thanks to a header by Griedge Mbock Bathy. In the second half, however, a greater score was not forthcoming, although France still received a penalty in the final phase. Captain Wendie Renard missed, however, and was unable to slide the rebound into an empty goal.
Major setback for France was the failure of attacker Marie-Antoinette Katoto. The star player had to leave after fifteen minutes with an injury to her leg.
Standings group D
- 1. France 2-6 (+5)
- 2. Iceland 2-2 (+0)
- 3. Belgium 2-1 (-1)
- 4. Italy 2-1 (-4)
Italy and Iceland remain in the race due to a draw
Italy took the first point earlier in the evening in the same group against Iceland. The game at the Academy Stadium in Manchester ended in 1-1. Both countries still have a chance to reach the quarterfinals.
It was already in the third minute for Iceland. A long throw-in came at the feet of Karolína Vilhjálmsdóttir, who finished beautifully. After the break, the Italians, led by substitute Barbara Bonansea, came into the game much better. In the 62nd minute, Valentina Bergamaschi tapped in on a cross from the left and tied the score.
After that, the team of national coach Milena Bertolini had several chances to win the match. In the 72nd minute, star Bonansea hit the post and a minute later Flaminia Simonetti also missed the chance of an Italian victory.