LONDON – France secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Euros with a 2-1 win over Belgium in Group D on Friday in a game that helped break the record for the highest attended edition of the tournament in history.
Corinne Diacre’s France side, one of the tournament favourites, took the lead in the sixth minute when Kadidiatou Diani arrived at the far post to head in Sakina Karchaoui’s deep cross.
Les Bleus dominated but were wasteful in front of goal. They were punished in the 36th minute when Belgium captain Tessa Wullaert put through forward Janice Cayman who slid to get a toe on the ball and sent it past goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, the team’s first touch in the opposition box.
That shock equaliser did not deter France, however, as just minutes later another header, this time from defender Griedge Mbock Bathy, restored their lead before halftime on Bastille Day.
The French had more chances in the second half but lacked the clinical edge to increase the advantage over their opponents, who were watched by Belgium men’s team manager Roberto Martinez in the crowd.
They were given a soft penalty late on for handball by Belgium substitute Amber Tysiak when Grace Geyoro’s shot hit her arm, even though it was low and close to her side.
Tysiak was sent off for a second booking but France captain Wendie Renard had her spot-kick saved by Nicky Evrard and then missed the rebound, Reuters reported.
Belgium can still reach the knockout phase as they are third in the group, one point behind Iceland who earlier drew 1-1 with Italy to earn their second point.
France, who has six points, will finish top but may have concerns over key forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto who went off injured early in the first half.
Italy is bottom of the group with one point.
“Belgium gave it their all at the end of the game, they wanted to equalise. We managed to stand our ground,” France coach Corinne Diacre said.
“They had a lot of chances and so did we, we weren’t as clinical as against Italy but it’s not every day you score five goals in the first half! We need to make the most of these joyful moments when they arise. It’s rare to get through a group with a game to spare,” Diacre added.
“Katoto has sprained her knee I think, that’s all we know at the moment. It’s the same knee that was injured before but a different injury.”
“We didn’t start well but we did all we could to create chances. Everyone gave it their all and it is a pity the result doesn’t reflect that and we haven’t been rewarded for our efforts,” Belgium coach Ives Serneels said.
“The first goal we scored is a good example of the confidence we had. But we fell behind at two difficult moments.
“But then again, our players showed resilience. France were able to hold out which is what you expect from a high level team.”
“I’m feeling good, trying to help the team as I can on the right. And give as much as I can. It’s a weight off our shoulders [to be through] and an objective we wanted to hit. It’s put us in a great position,” Delphine Cascarino, Player of the Match said after the game.
“I am very happy to have stopped that penalty although I want to add that we were also lucky the second attempt didn’t go in,” Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard said.
“I’m very happy with my performance and that of the team. It’s very unfortunate we didn’t take a point tonight. I feel like we deserved it,” Evrard added.
Iceland held to draw by Italy
Italy fought back to draw 1-1 with Iceland after Valentina Bergamaschi cancelled out Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir’s opener.
The draw kept Iceland second and Italy bottom in Group D, which also includes France and Belgium who meet later in Rotherham.
Bayern Munich midfielder Vilhjalmsdottir gave Iceland the lead in the third minute, firing a half-volley into the top corner after the Italian defence failed to clear a long throw-in from the left.
Italy, quarterfinalists at the 2019 World Cup, pressed for the equaliser and finally found it in the 62nd minute when AC Milan midfielder Bergamaschi timed her run perfectly to meet substitute Barbara Bonansea’s pull-back.
The equaliser frustrated Iceland as it came just a minute after Alexandra Johannsdottir scuffed an opportunity to double their lead, hitting her shot wide from inside the box, despite having plenty of space.
Italy pushed hard for a second goal as Bonansea’s low shot hit the woodwork in the 73rd minute, while Iceland were left to rue their missed chances as Vilhjalmsdottir failed to convert an easy opportunity in the 87th minute.
Vilhjalmsdottir knew her miss was a costly one for Iceland as she was seen in tears on the bench after going off.
