After a questionable performance against Jamaica on matchday one, France defeated Brazil 2-1 on Saturday for their first group win in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Among a swarm of Brazil fans in the stadium, manager Herve Renard and his squad gave the South Americans trouble early in the game, as veteran players provided the scoring. Eugine LeSommer opened the goals, scoring the Les Blues, while team captain Wendie Renard delivered the game-winner in the second half.
Question marks around player health was a concern for France ahead of the match. Renard sustained a calf injury that required an MRI scan, but her availability was never in doubt and ultimately was the difference maker. Obviously the headlines will be about the goal she scored, but she also made a key difference to how the team started the game, anchoring a backline that supported a heavy pressing midfield. It was another outing with a four-back and player-to-player matchups in the middle third, and because of that aggressive approach France immediately put Brazil on notice with a high press.
An individual battle between Brazil’s Luana and France’s Sandie Toletti in midfield gave the best look at the fiery moments on the pitch. The pair…
