Les Bleues begin their qualifications with a narrow victory against Ireland

The French women’s football team took the opportunity, Friday April 5 evening, to reassure itself by launching its qualifications for Euro 2025 with a victory. Thanks to a goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto, the Blues beat Ireland (1-0) at the Saint-Symphorien stadium in Metz, a little over a month after the painful setback suffered in Seville in the League final nations (2-0), where they were outclassed tactically, physically, technically and mentally by the Spanish, world champions.

Led Friday by Grace Geyoro, named captain due to the presence on the bench of Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer, Hervé Renard’s players took the lead in their group thanks to this victory in the first match, against most affordable opponent (25^e in the FIFA world rankings), the English and the Swedes having neutralized each other at Wembley (1-1), in the other meeting of the group.

The success of the Bleues was essential, as their group is tough, which includes England, reigning European champion and vice-world champion, and the semi-finalist of the last World Cup, Sweden, where the Bleues travel on Tuesday evening. To qualify for the Euro in Switzerland in July 2025, the French women will have to finish in the first two places in the group. Otherwise, they will have to go through two rounds of play-offs next fall to be drafted.

Eugénie Le Sommer pulls on the bar

Lacking technical accuracy in the last thirty meters, they quickly opened the scoring after obtaining a set piece, thanks to a combination between Kenza Dali and Maëlle Lakrar, who served PSG striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto perfectly ( 6^e). Of the last ten goals scored by the Blues, seven were from a set phase (corner, free kick or penalty).

Uninspired despite possession of the ball in their favor, and apart from good pressing when they lost the ball, the French had difficulty combining, especially in attack, between Delphine Cascarino, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Kadidiatou Diani and Grace Geyoro, attacking midfielder.

More mobile than Katoto, Eugénie Le Sommer, who entered her place at the hour mark, was immediately better found, author of a powerful header on the crossbar following a cross from Diani (66^e). The connection between the two Lyonnaises was more visible in a few minutes than that with Katoto during an hour, despite the 28^e goal of the latter in the blue jersey. More liberated in the second half, Diani was very close to doubling the lead, well launched by Kenza Dali (70^e) in its right corridor.

Hervé Renard’s players will have to raise their level on Tuesday against the more technical Swedes and be more precise in front of goal. They will have fewer possibilities than Friday, where they shot twenty times on goal.

Already beaten last July (3-0), the Irish, for their part, did not try their luck more than once against Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, the goalkeeper having spent a very quiet evening.

The return of Wendie Renard

“I am very satisfied with this match in the state of mind, in the desire to move forward, to press this Irish team”, declared the coach of the France team, Hervé Renard. On the offensive level, the players “could have been more effective in the last thirty meters”he continued, thinking that they could have “score one or two more goals”. More “we hit the post, and the Irish goalkeeper had a great match”noted the French technician.

It will also take a little more to be able to claim an Olympic medal this summer in France, the big objective of the year.

The good news for the Blues is the entry of Wendie Renard after four months of absence, due to a quadriceps injury. His return was, however, disrupted by discomfort, due to hypoglycemia at the very end of the match (90 + 4), according to the French staff.

The captain, who will be able to bring all her experience against Sweden, who had missed so much against Spain, seemed to be dizzy. She left for a few seconds before returning to the field for the last two minutes of the match. “She felt a little unwell, but [ensuite] it was okay, in the locker room”said teammate Sandie Toletti.

The other captain, Amandine Henry, who should start against Sweden, celebrated her 100th^e selection in front of 17,000 spectators present at the stadium.