His two appearances, against Jamaica (0-0) then Brazil (2-1), marked the spirits. The 19-year-old Lyonnaise has gone from surprise on the list to luxury substitute in a France team that needs her speed and inspirations. “I feel like she’s been called for a very long time because she’s herself. Vicki, it’s a day, a story”, jokes her friend Selma Bacha, who appreciates the joie de vivre of the European champion under 19 in 2019. “She impressed me” against Brazil, continues the middle Kenza Dali. “She was the Brazilian. She tries a sombrero in front of 50,000 people… Magic. It’s recklessness at that age.
Arrived with persistent pain in the adductors, the defender of Paris SG also had to recover from a blow to a calf which deprived her of the first match. These glitches got the better of the starting status of the 25-year-old player, overtaken by Maëlle Lakrar in the hierarchy against Brazil. But with 20 selections and several Champions League matches on the clock, De Almeida still offers good guarantees in terms of solidity and reading the game. The Parisian learns in particular from Wendie Renard, whom she could replace on Wednesday. “I can’t have better, it’s Wendie Renard, it’s the best in the world. Just adapt and listen to advice, “assured the former Montpellier at the start of the World Cup.
Holder against Jamaica, the Paris FC player has a versatile attacking profile that can be useful against the Panamanians. The 25-year-old player (24 caps), who was warned in the first match of the World Cup, is particularly expected for her technical quality and her crosses from the right side, but she can also play in attack, as a second striker. “Several of us have versatile profiles, it’s good for the team and no matter where we are lined up, we will do our best for the collective,” explained the player to AFP before the tournament.
After a successful season with FC Fleury, Léa Le Garrec made a remarkable comeback to the French team, scoring in her first match against Canada in April (2-1). The 30-year-old player, who officiates in parallel with her career as a consultant on Canal, had not played for Les Bleues since 2017. Since Amandine Henry’s package, she is one of the only replacement options as a midfielder. , with the young Laurina Fazer (19 years old).
Used in four of Hervé Renard’s six matches on the tricolor bench, including the one against Jamaica, Delphine’s twin sister (injured) pleases the staff with her versatility. A central defender by trade, she is a credible solution as a left-back and can even help out in midfield, even if she played very little in 2023 at Manchester United. “In my career, I have played mainly in central defense but I have always had this double role, I have always helped out on the side so I know the position”, described the player to AFP in February.
Further in the hierarchy, the other substitutes risk having only crumbs. Amel Majri was started against Jamaica but left-wing starter Selma Bacha returned from injury. In defense, Aïssatou Tounkara starts from very far (she was recalled at the last minute), and in the middle, Laurina Fazer is in the learning phase. Viviane Asseyi is barred by offensive competition and Naomie Feller has just returned from muscle discomfort in one thigh.
