Lyon (AFP) – The French women’s team led by Marie-Antoinette Katoto started the Olympic tournament with a victory (3-2) against the Colombians in Lyon, initially in control before letting them come back into the game in the second half.
4 mins
In front of nearly 30,000 spectators (out of 60,000) at the Stade de Lyon, the Bleues were impressive, as if they were on a mission. But only for one period, the first.
For these JO 2024the objective is simple and displayed by the team and the Federation: at least one medal, the first in the history of the Blues.
But the start to the competition almost went badly wrong after half-time, when the Blues seemed physically weak and sank mentally.
After a brief point from captain Wendie Renard to her teammates gathered in a circle, they immediately set the tone, perfectly present in the duels against Colombians known for being aggressive.
Often criticised for a sometimes unattractive game, Hervé Renard’s players, in white shirts on the edge of the field, easily found their place, with occasional beautiful passing sequences.
In great form for several weeks, Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored twice, including a headed goal from a pass from Kadidiatou Diani following a great opening from Wendie Renard (3-0, 42nd).
Before that, Kenza Dali had doubled the lead with a superb strike (18th) after a cross from Maëlle Lakrar.
In a rare occurrence in 2024, all three goals were scored in open play, and the Tricolores dominated in all areas of the game.
Two periods, two faces
Opposite, the Colombians were a shadow of the team seen at the last World Cup during this period and in particular the nugget Linda Caicedo, taken by Maëlle Lakrar, her future teammate at Real Madrid, and lined up in place of Elisa De Almeida, affected by the hamstrings.
It was also an error by Linda Caicedo that allowed Marie-Antoinette Katoto to open the scoring, as she burst into the area to beat the goalkeeper with a cross shot (1-0, 6th).
This was also the case for Mayra Ramirez, the Chelsea striker, and Catalina Usme, who were barely visible, despite the second goal from the penalty spot (54th).
Like her teammates, Ramirez then woke up and was dangerous on each ball, before being sent off, after a late contact with Selma Bacha (83rd).
After the break, the Blues suffered and had difficulty controlling their weak period, undoubtedly worn down by the physical commitment of the first team: they conceded two goals in ten minutes (54th, 64th), leaving too much space and losing the ball too easily.
While the boss Wendie Renard was caught out several times on Colombian moves, Griege Mbock responded, chaining together interventions.
At the end of the match, chopped, Eugénie Le Sommer played her first minutes since April and her knee operation. The OL striker, 35, needs playing time to gain momentum. This physical duel against the South Americans was the best exercise to test herself.
Les Bleues take the lead in their group alongside Canada, in the race to win their first Olympic medal after coming close to bronze in 2012 at the London Olympics. It was against Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, who they meet on Sunday in Saint-Etienne (9 p.m.).
Read alsoSchedule, results and medal tables for the 2024 Paris Olympics