A preparation that ends on a false note. For its last friendly match before the 2023 World Cup (July 20-August 20), the France Women’s team lost to Australia (1-0), in Melbourne, at Marvel Stadium, ahead of a little more than fifty thousand spectators. Les Bleues however had, on the whole, control of the meeting.
They are the ones who had possession of the ball and who got the best situations. In the first act, Selma Bacha, Grace Geyoro or Kadidiatou Diani had the opportunity to make the difference, but they came up against a good Australian defense. Thus, despite their domination, the players of Hervé Renard failed to materialize. And it was only natural – despite the transitions well played by the Matildas – that the two teams returned to the locker room with a clean score.
After the break, the physiognomy of the meeting remained the same. France had the ball and pushed to open the scoring. Australia continued to put a lot of intensity and played very vertically. A game plan that has proven effective. Indeed, shortly after the hour mark, on a transition launched on the right side, Hayley Raso found Mary Fowler behind. The striker was realistic by deceiving the vigilance of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with a beautiful strike on the ground (66th). Subsequently, Wendie Renard’s teammates – quite feverish for once – pushed to equalize.
However, despite repeated assaults and offensive-oriented changes, they failed to worry the Australian goalkeeper. In stoppage time of the game, Selma Bacha, in a duel, completely twisted her ankle. The Lyonnaise was forced to go out on a stretcher…in tears. Hervé Renard and his staff must hope that his participation in the 2023 World Cup is not compromised. As a reminder, the France Women’s team will enter the competition on Sunday July 23 (12 noon), against Jamaica.
