Key occasions
23 min France win the ball excessive, Becho rapidly right into a deal with, and he or she cuts again for Diani, who ought to rating … however a weak shot trickles extensive.
22 min The aim has been given to Lakrar, which makes some type of sense, as her effort was on track, but in addition none as a result of the defender ought to actually have clumped it clear.
GOAL! Panama 1-1 France (Salazar personal aim 21)
The unique ball in is retrieved by France, then the second ball too, saved alive by Bacha – I believe – and Lakrar heads goalwards, Salazar desperately swiping a clearance that shoots into the roof of the online.
20 min France win one other nook down the suitable…
19 min Cascarino slides a cross round Jaen and Bacha hares onto it, however with Diani within the center can’t measure her cut-back and Bailey once more sprawls to save lots of.
18 min France have saved the heid effectively they usually’re not panicking, slightly enjoying via the thirds. I’m wondering, although, if we would see Wendy Renard sooner slightly than later as a result of her facet are forcing loads of set-pieces and will use her within the center to move them dwelling.
16 min France transfer down the suitable, Diani trying to cross, however Bailey comes and collects effectively. We’ve seen some good goalkeeping shows these previous few days – Periera was excellent when Colombia beat Germany and Swart did effectively for South Africa earlier at present.
16 min In Melbourne, it’s nonetheless Jamaica 0-0 Brazil.
14 min Bacha clips in from the suitable and Lakrar is up, however her header is headed behind till Pinzon interferes, her contact sufficiently weak for Bailey to gather.
12 min Becho wins a nook down the suitable which Le Garrec will take; not like most I’ve seen throughout this match, France are swinging theirs out, and the supply is respectable, in search of the close to submit, however Baltrip-Reyes clears and ultimately France earn one other attempt, Jaen heading behind when she might simply have let the ball go.
11 min Simply have a look at her! Isn’t she lovely?
10 min However right here come France once more, Cascarino bursting onto a cross and crossing, Natis sticking behind for a nook; Panama clear it effectively, Natis unloading Geyoro, and ultimately Le Garrec wellies into the stands.
9 min Bacha will take, however she’ll swing out slightly than go for aim, and somebody – Pinzon I believe – heads clear.
8 min France have settled now, spreading extensive to Cascarino who lays infield to Bacha. So Natis nobbles her as she runs away from aim searching for area, and now it’s France with a free-kick, additional left of centre however an identical distance away from aim.
7 min Becho nashes down the suitable, easing away from Jaen and reducing again, however Pinzon is there to dam her off, then Bacha thrashes excessive.
5 min However now right here come France, Geyoro feeding a ball in behind for Diani who, down the suitable of the field, takes a contact too many – maybe – and slices extensive of the close to submit with solely the keeper to beat. Her workforce, who conceded previous to even touching the ball, are awake.
4 min Because it stands, France are going out, however a optimistic lead to Brazil v Jamaica would permit them to lose.
3 min Cox has tears in her eyes as she celebrates and the way can she not have! There are tears in mine and I’m sat in a dingy box-room!
OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER ABSOLUTE EVERLASTING DAYS WHAT A GOAL! Panama 1-0 France (Cox 2)
Cox flings each final fibre of herself into this, exploding right into a free-kick that rises excessive over the close to facet of the wall, swerves, shrieks and screams excessive into the highest nook of the online, Peyraud Magrin a spectator! That may be a merely disgraceful hit, and abruptly we obtained ourselves a ball-game!
1 min Instantly, Cox burrows ahead, however simply as she’s about to shoot, Le Garrec journeys her. Free-kick Panama, 30 yards out….
1 min Away we go!
Panama are, as you’d anticipate, set as much as attempt to keep away from a hiding. France, although, have gamers enjoying for locations within the final 16, some making an attempt to hold onto theirs, others making an attempt to liberate them from others.
Anthem time…
And right here come our groups…
However what a sport it was.
I can’t lie, I’m nonetheless shaking from that South Africa v Italy sport. So I’m going to take a fast screen-break and go away you with this tribute: a playlist, roughly compiled, of South African bangers.
Panama, in the meantime, usher in Jaen for Castillo on the again, Quintero for Gonzalez on the base of midfield, and up entrance it’s Montenegro, not Cedeno L.
I stated earlier you by no means know however Hervé Renard reckons he does, making 5 adjustments to the workforce that beat Brazil final day trip. On the again, Karchaoui and Renard are changed by Almeida and Cascarino E (not D, who’s injured); in midfield, Toletti and Dali drop out, with Le Garrec and Becho coming in; and up entrance, it’s Mateo not Le Sommer.
In Melbourne, Jamaica and Brazil play-off for possible second place behind France. Scott Murray will croon you thru that one.
Groups!
Panama (5-4-1): Bailey; Jaen, Natis, Pinzon, Cedeno, Baltrip-Reyes; Salazar, Tanner, Montenegro, Quintero; Cox. Subs: Fabrega, Cordoba, Castillo, Gonzalez, Riley, Mills, Vargas, Espinosa, Batista, Hernandez, Cedeno, De Obaldia.
France (4-4-2): Peyraud-Magnin; Lakrar, De Almeida, Cascarino, Perisset; Geyoro, Bacha, Le Garrec, Becho; Diani, Mateo. Subs: Durand, Picaud, Renard, Fazer, Toletti, Karchaoui, Le Sommer, Majri, Tounkara, Dali, Asseyi, Feller.
Preamble
This ought to be easy: a draw right here, and France are via. But when Panama win and Brazil draw with Jamaica, Les Bleus are going dwelling.
That, although, is unlikely as a result of France are critical outfit. They’re lacking some critical gamers – Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto – however nonetheless have loads of high quality.
Factor is, you by no means know – simply ask Italy. It’s true that Panama don’t have the gamers South Africa do, however soccer is a chaotic, brutal exercise, so that you by no means know.
Kick-off: 8pm native, 11am BST.
