The French soccer players are among the favorites for the title at the Women’s World Cup. In the first game on Sunday (July 23rd, 2023), “Les Bleues” had to put up with a setback: defensively strong Jamaicans scored a historic point win against the Europeans in a 0-0 draw.
Instead of the French celebrating an opening win, the players from Jamaica were in each other’s arms after the final whistle at the Sydney Football Stadium: With a convincing fighting performance over 90 minutes plus stoppage time, they had wrested a goalless draw from the favored fifth in the world rankings – and thus achieved something very special for their football nation: After three defeats in their first World Cup participation four years ago, it was the first win for the Jamaicans at a World Cup World Cup finals at all.
Clear case: In the camp of the team from the island state in the Caribbean, there is sunshine after the World Cup opener despite a late dismissal against captain Khadija Shaw (90 + 2) – while the mood in France can be compared with the uncomfortable, wet and cold weather in Sydney.
Jamaica’s pressing is having an effect
France going forward, the Jamaicans striving for a safe defense – that was what was expected before the kick-off for the first duel between these two teams. In the game itself, however, things turned out a bit differently, because the early pressing by Jamaica severely hampered the build-up of play by the Europeans, who were playing in a 4-3-3.
Wendie Renard and Co. rarely managed to build up purposefully and put the forwards in the limelight. In the first 20 minutes, France didn’t have any chances to score in the opponent’s penalty area. After winning the ball in their own half, the outsiders relied on quick switching and used the fairly large spaces in the French defensive center for counterattacks.
Lots of tackles and lots of fouls
Both teams got into the many duels in midfield – sometimes too much. Referee Maria Carvajal from Chile tried to remind of the fair play spirit with yellow cards against Clara Mateo (14′), Atlanta Primus (24′) and Shaw (37′), but was only moderately successful given the total of 13 fouls in the first half.
France is gradually getting stronger
But football was also played: Captain Wendie Renard with a header (28′) and PSG striker Kadidiatou Diani with a low shot (36′) put the ball on target for France, Shaw shot a free kick just wide on the other side (41′). In added time, a Diani shot deflected by Chantelle Swaby (45’+5′) almost gave the French team, who were getting stronger at the end of the period, the lead at the break. As it was, Jamaica went without conceding a goal in half of a World Cup game for the first time.
Disorganized second half – Diani crossbar header
After the break, France kept up the pressure and continued to have more possession, but the “Reggae Girlz” still put up a strong physical fight. Two Diani headers (54′, 67′) and a shot by Sandie Toletti (58′) in the opponent’s penalty area were not included in the “Big Chance” category.
France coach Hervé Renard and opposite number Lorne Donaldson brought in a number of rested substitutes in the closing stages to achieve the goals set. France kept the pressure on their opponents, who were strong until the end, but Diani did not get more than a crossbar header (90′). Even the yellow-red card for Shaw after a foul against Renard on the touchline didn’t deprive the underdog of the deserved reward in the six-minute stoppage time.
Le Sommer is now French World Cuprecord player
The fact that striker Eugenie Le Sommer has now become the French record player with 17 World Cup appearances should no longer be a big issue after the disappointing point split against the outsiders from Jamaica (world number 53) in the “Les Bleues” team.
So it goes on for France and Jamaica
The second game in Group F for France should be a real World Cup treat: On Saturday (July 29th, 2023, 12 noon CEST, in the live ticker on sportschau.de) “Les Bleues” meet the team from Brazil, which is eighth in the world rankings. Jamaica is challenged against Panama on the same day (2:30 p.m. CEST).