Brisbane: Wendie Renard popped up with a late winner as France came out on top in an enthralling Brisbane battle with Brazil. The veteran defender’s trademark header sent Les Bleus top of Group F and
settled a classic FIFA Women’s World Cup encounter in which Eugenie Le Sommer’s first-half opener had earlier been cancelled out by a coolly dispatched Debinha effort.
With Brazil brilliant in their opening-match win over Panama, and France lacklustre in a goalless draw with Jamaica, the South Americans had been widely expected to take the game to their European opponents. Instead, it was the French – full of energy and invention – who were on the front foot from an early stage, the FIFA reported. Le Sommer was a constant danger to the Brazilian backline and had already forced Leticia into a brilliant save by the time she nodded France in front from a near-identical position. Kadidiatou Diani won the first header, towering above Tamires to knock Sakina Karchaoui’s deep, floated cross back into the middle, and Le Sommer – showing her well-honed striker’s instinct – ghosted into space to glance the ball home.
