Zapping Foot National Entretien – Les dessous du football amateur, avec Romain Molina
This past Tuesday evening, the French Women’s National Team made their way to Iceland for the sixth and final match of the Women’s Nations League group stage. The match concluded with France securing a victory of two goals to zero. It’s important to note that the French team had already guaranteed their position at the top of Group A2 . They are now qualified for the Final Four , where they will face either Sweden, Spain, or Germany . The draw for these matchups is set to take place on Friday.
Iceland Dominates the First Half
With strong winds blowing across the pitch, both nations struggled to find their rhythm from the outset. The first significant chance only came after the first 15 minutes. A determined effort by Bussy on the left side led to a great opportunity. After a swift exchange of passes, Toletti attempted a curling shot with her right foot, only for Runarsdottir to make a spectacular save, tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.
Five minutes later, disaster almost struck for the French side. Goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin misjudged her clearance, allowing Eiríksdóttir to regain possession. Eiríksdóttir quickly set up a teammate before firing a low shot, which was fortunately saved by the vigilant French keeper.
Despite France having already secured their spot in the next round, the game was far from over for Iceland, who were vying for second place in the group. They needed a win, combined with a favorable result in the match between Norway and Switzerland . At halftime, Switzerland was trailing 1-0. The most promising moment for Iceland came in the 37th minute when Vilhjálmsdóttir launched a powerful direct free kick from 30 yards out, which barely missed the goal following a save from Peyraud-Magnin. The score remained unchanged as the teams headed into the locker rooms.
France Strikes in the Second Half
The French side returned to the pitch with renewed determination. Almost immediately, Bacha sent a powerful shot crashing against the crossbar, courtesy of a mischievous gust of wind altering its path. The Blue Girls began pressing forward more assertively, hopeful of finding the back of the net.
As the game progressed, the Icelandic team appeared to lose their momentum. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute when Malard , found on the left side of the box, set up Baltimore who scored at the near post after a fortunate deflection off the right post. With that goal, France had taken a crucial lead, having paved the way for what was to follow.
The French team doubled their lead just ten minutes later. After a brilliant long pass from N’Dongala , Clara Matéo let the ball go for Grace Geyoro – who was perfectly positioned behind the defense. Geyoro calmly finished the chance, and the scoreline went to 2-0. The last minutes saw France maintain their composure, sealing the victory with an impressive sixth win in as many matches through this League phase.
In Summary
France’s victory came with a performance that, while not dazzling, showcased their resilience and superior skill. The French Women’s National Team played well against Iceland, winning 2-0 and securing their impressive record as they head into the next phase of the Women’s Nations League .