A month after the disappointment of the Euro, the Blue offered themselves a return without fault, nor adversity, at the weak Estonia (9-0), Friday September 2, with a team of “hairdressers” in which Ouleymata Sarr distinguished herself.
The international calendar sent the formation of Corinne Deacon to Tallinn, on the cold shores of the Baltic, to continue and almost complete its qualifying campaign for the World Cup-2023. The French, with their ticket already in their pocket at kick-off, have chained a ninth success in nine matches.
The victory was expected, after the scathing 11-0 inflicted in the first leg, and the meeting was mainly to serve to see in action the usual substitutes, nicknamed “hairdressers” in soccer jargon.
Dali and Matéo, penalty scorers
Hawa Cissoko, glued to the bench during the Euro, was thus associated in the axis of defense with Aïssatou Tounkara, who wore the armband in the absence of captain Wendie Renard, forfeited through injury during this internship.
Lateral Marion Torrent snatched up playing time, being as hard-hitting at the front as quiet behind, against opponents at a much lower level, dragged even further down by two expulsions, one in each period (16e and 58e).
Bordeaux midfielder Ella Palis also had fun, like Kenza Dali who scored from the penalty spot (17e2-0) and scored (47e6-0), or Clara Matéo, penalty scorer (59e7-0) then on a delicious shot from outside the right (67e8-0).
Quadruplet of Sarr
The big winner of the day, however, is called Ouleymata Sarr, so frustrating at the Euro, and so brilliant in Tallinn. The center forward of Paris FC shone with a beautifully crafted quadruple, in addition to having caused the penalty and the first expulsion at the end of the first quarter of an hour.
The 26-year-old opened her right foot to exploit a serve from Sakina Karchaoui (24e3-0), headed a cross from Torrent (29e4-0), sent a firecracker from outside the box (45e5-0) and performed an acrobatic and well-balanced recovery (47e6-0).
Admittedly, his festival comes against a very weak opponent, 106e nation in the FIFA rankings, in a meeting of relative interest. But he will bring a welcome confidence to the striker, in the hard at the Euro when it was necessary to replace the number 9 star Marie-Antoinette Katoto, seriously injured and forced to withdraw.
After this quiet stroll, the Bleues return to France to welcome Greece, Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) in Sedan, and complete the qualifying course for the World Cup. The rest of the season will continue with friendlies leading up to the tournament, scheduled for July 20 to August 20, 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.