The disappointment of a defeat and the fear of losing a new major player. The French team will not have kept smiling after their loss against Australia (1-0) this Friday for their last friendly match before the World Cup. At the very end of the match, Selma Bacha seriously injured her left ankle and came out in tears against Australia on Friday in Melbourne, nine days before the start of the World Cup, an injury that her coach Hervé Renard addresses with caution”.

The defender or winger, essential in the game of the Blue, went out on a stretcher in the last seconds of this last preparation match before the World Cup (July 20 – August 20). Slow motion footage clearly showed a left ankle twist for the Lyonnaise.

“I went to see her, we were all with her. His ankle has turned and we hope it won’t be too serious. This is the worst news of the evening,” said Hervé Renard after the match, which was lost 1-0. “Let’s be careful, we’re still worried but we have to be measured, not rush,” added the coach.

An essential part of the Blue system because she can play in defence, in the middle or in attack, Selma Bacha will quickly undergo medical examinations to assess the seriousness of her injury. Les Bleues are already deprived of several of their trump cards for this World Cup: attackers Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino as well as midfielder Amandine Henry.