Lyon (AFP) – The French women’s team qualified for the final of the Women’s Nations League on Friday by eliminating their best German enemies (2-1) and continues its road towards a first major title in an official competition, a few months before the Olympics .
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Full of confidence after a successful group stage (five wins, one draw), Hervé Renard’s players continued their flawless performance and validated their ticket for a first continental final, that of the first edition of the Women’s Nations League .
They will face Spain in Seville next Wednesday, world champion and winner of the other semi-final against the Netherlands (3-0).
In front of 30,300 spectators at Groupama Stadium, including the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the President of the French Football Federation Philippe Diallo and the Mayor of Lyon Grégory Doucet, the Blues left almost nothing to the Germans.
Except at the end of the match where they left more space and opportunities to their opponents. And when they conceded a penalty after a handball from Amandine Henry in the area, transformed by Giulia Gwinn (2-1, 82nd)
Faced with their best enemies, especially after the elimination in the semi-final of Euro 2022 (2-1), the French managed to raise their level of play this time, especially in the first period, by emphasizing the right side .
Like the Lyonnaise Kadidiatou Diani, twirling on her right side, author of a complete match and a superb half-volley to open the scoring (41st). His 27th goal for the French team.
Karchaoui’s first goal
Just like Eugénie Le Sommer, captain due to the package of Wendie Renard, who hit perfectly and created a multitude of chances.
A little more discreet, PSG midfielder Grace Geyoro caused the penalty, transformed by Sakina Karchaoui (45+4) for her first goal in blue colors.
The hinge Griedge Mbock and Maëlle Lakrar were also present to manage the heading game of German star and captain Alexandre Popp on multiple corners.
Unlike the semi-final of Euro 2022, then author of a double, this time she remained silent, even if she was very close to scoring after hitting the crossbar (72nd).
Apart from this action, she and her teammates were ultimately not very dangerous, while the French showed less in the second half.
World champion in 2003 and 2007 and Olympic champion in 2016, Germany continues to experience complicated months after experiencing major disappointment this summer during the World Cup in Australia, eliminated in the group stages. A first in its history.
Like France, already qualified for the Olympics as host country and present in the final, the Germans still have a chance to see the Olympics this summer in Paris, if they manage to beat the Netherlands in the third place match. Because it will be the victorious nation in the match for third place which will obtain the second ticket.
On the Blue side, all the lights have been green since the elimination in the quarter-final of the World Cup this summer against Australia, as Hervé Renard assured Thursday: “ we have learned a lot, we have improved certain things, you need confidence in yourself, in your partners, when you have unshakeable confidence, there is no need to fear anything “.
This was indeed the case on Friday, where the Blues controlled everything, without fearing anyone. A first final as a dress rehearsal before the Olympic Games this summer, their main objective.
(With AFP)