Les Bleues can now focus on what’s next. Qualified since Thursday for the quarter-finals of this Euro, the players of Corinne Deacon challenged Iceland this Monday evening in Rotherham (England) to complete the group stage.
A match certainly without stake for the French women – unlike the Icelandic ones who played their place in the European top 8 – but which they did not overuse. They also led from the first to the last minute … before having to concede the match in additional time of the second period.
Malard wastes no time
A draw without consequence for the Blues: they were already assured of first place in Group D, whatever the result of this Monday evening. On the other hand, Iceland is eliminated, since Belgium beat Italy at the same time (1-0).
Under the eye of Mark Parsons, the coach of the Netherlands, defending champions and opponents of the Blues in the quarter-finals, France has nevertheless put all the necessary ingredients to achieve a flawless during this first sentence.
Melvine Malard, propelled to the forefront of the attack after Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s package, thus only took a minute to stand out. Author of the first shot of the game in the wake of the kick-off, she also scored the first goal a few moments later, concluding with a flat left foot crossed after a good incursion from Clara Mateo.
Goals disallowed, post, bar… the Blues were unlucky
Malad thought he scored twice in the second period, but his subtle recovery from the heel was marred by an offside position (69th). Referee Jana Adamkova denied Les Bleues another goal late in the game when Grace Geyoro scored from close range after another serve from Mateo, but the Parisienne was penalized for an unobvious handball.
Les Bleues also showed bad luck – or clumsiness, it depends – by hitting the uprights twice: Baltimore found Sigurdardottir’s bar (55th) before Geyoro shook the post (67th).
By dint of missing the KO goal, Wendie Renard and her partners ended up being punished. After a first alert signed Brynjarsdottir (90th + 2), Sarr was guilty of an unintentional foul on Jonsdottir in the box.
The referee, after having recourse to the VAR, indicated the penalty spot: Brynjarsdottir was responsible for executing the sentence to offer Iceland an unexpected draw…
Datasheet
ICELAND 1
FRANCE 1
In Rotherham, England. Half time: 0-1
Referee: Jana Adamkova (RTC)
Goals : Malard (1st) for France; Bryansdottir (90th + 6) for Iceland
Warnings: Thorvalsdottir (38th), Vilhjalmsdottir (64th) for Iceland; Karchaoui (90th) for France.
France : Peyraud-Magnin – Torrent, Tounkara, Renard, Bacha (Karchaoui, 63rd) – Toletti (Geyoro, 63rd), Bilbault (Palis, 46th), Mateo – Diani, Malard (Sarr, 79th), Baltimore (D. Cascarino, 46th) .
Iceland: S. Sigurdardottir – Viggosdottir, I. Sigursdardottir, Gisladottir (Gunnlaugsdottir, 60th), Arnadottir (Jensen, 90th) – Gunnarsdottir (G. Jonsdottir, 60th), Vilhjalmsdottir, Brynjarsdottir – Thorvaldsdottir, Albertsdottir (Jacossen-Andrasdottir, 81st), Jonsdottir ( Gudmunsdottir, 60th).