The France team started their Euro 2022 in Rotherham, England, in the best possible way against the Italians. The French won the final score of 5-1, Sunday July 10, in group D. Grace Geyoro, author of a hat-trick, and her teammates settled at the head of their pool.
Despite a still virgin record, the French women’s football team is among the most ambitious as the 13th European Nations Championship begins, which is held in England until July 31. A status that had to be assumed from this first match against Italy, Sunday at New York Stadium in Rotherham. And the objective was largely fulfilled by the players of Corinne Deacon.
With a 4-3-3 system and an offensive trident composed of Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino, supported by Grace Geyoro, the French women had serious arguments to put forward from the start. Yet it was Italy that lit the first fuse with Barbara Bonansea, quicker than the blue defense. The Italian striker found herself in a duel with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who has the distinction of being her teammate at Juventus. And it was the French goalkeeper who had the last word at the cost of a superb parade (4th). A simple warning at no cost to France before the fireworks.
A flurry of goals in the first period
The tricolor machine started quickly after this big opportunity conceded. On a cross from Kadidiatou Diani, the transalpine captain Sara Gama missed her dismissal and Grace Geyoro took the opportunity to open the scoring (9th). A second Italian error was paid in cash just after: the door Laura Giuliani pushed back full axis a cross from Sakina Karchaoui, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto had time to control before scoring the goal of the break (12th).
After another opportunity from Katoto who found the post, France took off thanks to Delphine Cascarino, whose clear and powerful strike surprised the Azzurre goalkeeper (38th). Italy finally sank completely before the break against Grace Geyoro. The PSG midfielder first dribbled past Giuliani for the 4-0 (40th), then a final recovery without control hit the mark once again (45th). A hat-trick which necessarily has a particular flavor for the one who was given uncertain a few days ago due to a sprained left knee.
To be confirmed on July 14 against Belgium
After the break, the Bleues, well ahead, mainly managed their lead, and Italy managed to save the honor thanks to Martina Piemonte from the head (77th). A rescue from Selma Bacha in added time prevented the French from conceding a second goal.
France settles alone at the top of group D with three points, since in the other meeting of the day, Iceland and Belgium drew (1-1). Grace Geyoro is currently the top scorer at the start of the Euro. Les Bleues will have the opportunity to take an undoubtedly decisive step towards the quarter-finals during their next meeting, against Belgium on Thursday 14 July. A new victory on the day of the national holiday would have the best effect.