By dominating Brazil last Saturday (2-1) after a much more reassuring and exciting performance than the inaugural one against Jamaica (0-0), the French team opened the doors wide of the 8th finals. It now seems unlikely to see them close in front of Panama, only 52nd nation in the FIFA rankings, already eliminated after their setbacks against Brazil (0-4) and Jamaica (0-1).
Nevertheless, as Hervé Renard quite rightly reminded us at a press conference on Tuesday, mathematically, “France has not yet qualified and we must therefore remain very focused” on this last Group F match. that the scenarios sending Les Bleues to the round of 16 are, to say the least, numerous…
– It does not lose against Panama- It loses, but Brazil also loses against Jamaica- It loses, but with a smaller goal difference than that of Jamaica defeated by Brazil (the Blue would then have a better goal difference goals than the Jamaicans) – Lost with a similar margin as Jamaica against Brazil, but scoring at least as many goals as the Jamaicans (the Blues have a better attack with their two goals against Brazil)
Now, beyond qualification which, despite all the respect due to Panama, seems to be no more than a formality, Hervé Renard’s players will above all seek to maintain the dynamic born of the success against Brazil, particularly in terms of offensive, and thereby retain this first place which is reaching out to them. Even if it could offer a shock in the round of 16 against Germany, vice-champion of Europe in title surprised by Colombia in its group (1-2), then a quarter against the Australian host country or Denmark . Not easy, but the French coach made it clear: “It’s out of the question to calculate”.
– She wins against Panama, with the same gap as Jamaica against Brazil, and without the Reggae Girlz scoring more goals than the Blues – She wins the draw, and Jamaica does the same without she doesn’t score any more goals
