France Stuns Brazil With Late Winner to Move Atop Group F

Veterans Eugenie Le Sommer and Wendie Renard led Les Bleus to a thrilling 2–1 victory over Brazil, the team’s first win of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Saturday’s Group F matchup between France and Brazil lived up to its billing, with the two heavy hitters going pound-for-pound, as Les Bleus charged to a 2–1 win in the Women’s World Cup. The victory—spurred by two France veterans, Eugenie Le Sommer and captain Wendie Renard—was a powerful statement following Les Bleus’ scoreless draw against Jamaica.

Fans packed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, and made their presence known throughout the match—the Brazil contingency particularly visible, coating the venue with canary yellow and green. The end-to-end fixture gave plenty for both sides to cheer for, with the matchup going back and forth for nearly all 99 minutes of play.

The first half, however, was all France, clamping down and quieting Brazil’s high-tempo attack, while punishing Pia Sundhage’s squad on the counterpress. Les Bleus put their stamp on the punchy opening minutes, with Le Sommer burying the game’s first goal, her 90th for France. The play started with a well-placed lofted cross into the box from Sakina Karchaoui, finding Kadidiatou Diani, who nodded the ball in Le Sommer’s path, with France’s all-time leading goalscorer finishing it off to go up 1–0 at the 17-minute mark. 

OF COURSE IT'S FRANCES ALL-TIME LEADING GOALSCORER TO PUT LES BLEUES IN FRONT 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/AhyqdzMMin

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 29, 2023

Brazil, not one to simply fade away, came out of the half with a renewed sense of energy, finding more success with combinations in the final third—particularly with Debinha on the flank. After putting France under pressure in the opening minutes of the second frame, Brazil found the back of the net in the 58th minute, with who else but Debinha getting in behind France’s backline to bring down a deflected shot before clinching the equalizer.

Brazil has its 1-1 equalizer thanks to Debinha patiently slotting it home 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/MXOFJcbCZa

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 29, 2023

The chaos only continued from there, as the game remained wide open, with both teams creating dangerous chances. It was France, however, who converted one of those said chances as a wide-open Renard headed in a set piece to give Les Bleus the lead in the 83rd minute. The 33-year-old’s goal proved decisive, with Brazil unable to answer in the game’s dwindling minutes.

WONDERFUL WENDIE 🇫🇷

It's another French legend on the scoresheet as France reclaims the 2-1 lead in Brisbane! pic.twitter.com/v5mW98U7EP

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 29, 2023

The result upended Group F, with Brazil failing to secure a win, and therefore a spot in the knockout round. Instead, France ascends to the top of the group, as Jamaica and Panama face off. The Reggae Girlz can knock France off the top spot with a win by two or more and eliminate Panama in the process. It will be a tougher task than usual for Jamaica, though, as the team is without star Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who is sidelined after picking up two yellow cards. Depending on Jamaica and Panama’s result, Brazil could be in a win-or-go-home scenario come the team’s final group stage match against the Reggae Girlz.