By Lucy

Exciting game from Group B, France are a team that will be going for god this tournament; a team that have been regarded as one of the best in the world but have always had issues behind the scenes, a home tournament would be the perfect chance to get their hands on a medal. They like to play a flowing, attacking style of football, they can build up very quickly from the back and can utilise players speed to get them up the pitch.

Colombia are a team that had the spotlight shine on them in the Womens World Cup in 2023, they were underdogs and made it far in the tournament, losing to England in the quater finals 2-1. They like to incorporate a tiki taka style of play and rely on space down the flanks to create threats to the opponent.

The game started quite quick, France quickly pressed high, they played a highline that enabled them to get further up the pitch and quickly recieve the ball. Colombia did well in possession, they were playing a bit of a slower game, passing the ball around, getting their confidence in posession and testing the waters. Immediately Karchaoui stands out for her defensive decisions, apart from a few misplaced long passes, she made good clearances and was very solid.

France open up the scoring in the 5th minute, the goal starts at the back with Renard, she quickly progresses up the field and flashes a long ball up the pitch, Caicedo headers it away but Katoto wrestles it into her path, great finish on a tight angle.

The game restarts, France now play with the confidence you'd expect, they're imposing their style of play into the game, quick passing, getting high up the pitch whilst being calm in possession and not rushing decisions. France are a very tight team, they know where each other are on the pitch.

Grace Geyoro is running the midfield, does great when under pressure from 2-3 Colombian players and dribbles her way out of danger, playing very free football, drifting onto the left wing and adding another depth to France's play as well.

By the 12th minute it's obvious Colombia have lost any footing in this game, shakey back line and panicked passing, loose in possession and weak decision making. The game plan has left their minds as all they can think about is France's pressing play, they know that if they stay the ball for too long it's a huge risk.

Mayra Ramirez had quite a few good chances this game, every other aspect of her play was perfect in this game, she just couldn't find the end product. She easily shrugs off Wendie Renard when they come up 1V1 and dribbles into the box with ease.

France have completely picked Colombia apart, they've imposed their game plan perfectly into the game and are dominating, their defensive line is strong and each player is sticking to the role. Colombia have struggled with the pressure France have applied, whenever a player gets the ball they'll have 2 French players already pressing for the ball back and they can't get out of the press.

Great goal from Dali, quick thinking with good intention, solid strike.

We didn't see much of Linda Caicedo until the last 20 minutes of the game, and when she arrived, you could notice the difference, she should've been more involved earlier, Colombia deserted their left wing in favour of going straight through midfield or down the right which isolated Caicedo. They really struggled to break through the final third, when they were able to win the battle in midfield, France adapted a more physical style of play in order to stop them.

 

SECOND HALF.

 

Fantastic CB partnership between Renard and Mbock, both very calm and confident on the ball.

Colombia definitely came out more attacking then they finished the first half, as you would expect, we see bouts of them coming forward which show that they have the means to provide a good match up with France, but were dismantled way too early and lost sight.

The penalty was scored with confidence by Usme, reflecting Colombia's personality on the pitch in the second half, this gives them lots of momentum to carry with them, injects energy and belief into the team, as a 2 goal gap is smaller than 3 and is manageble. Leicy Santos was great in midfield, she definitely felt that momentum shift and was controlling the ball with ease and progressing the ball up the pitch.

In the lead up to Cololmbia's second goal we see them at their best, playing with fluidity and joy, injecting their style of play with quick passing. Substitute Pavi with the goal, shakes off Karchaoui who was too tight for her, another tight angle but slots it perfect. The comeback is in sight and they can feel it.

France have died down and the game has slipped through their fingers, players are making mistakes and Colombia are not letting up, playing with speed and effiency, they have the belief and that's the driving force. They aren't wasting time, shooting long balls up the pitch.

Renard was struggling against Ramirez, but when she comes up to the box she holds the ball for way too long, takes too long to shoot until the chance disappears, her finishing just wasn't there tonight.

We start to see Caicedo really come into the game around the 70th minute or so, and you can tell. She is so dangerous 1V1, her dribbling is world class, but just couldn't get her balls through all the French players in the box. She adds so much speed and skill to the attacking line it's a shame they couldn't involve her sooner.

Colombia enter a battle against the clock, they are brimming with confidence and are playing perfectly, each player knows where to pass and where their options are, quick passing up the pitch and wasting no time, playing with speed and precision. France have dropped off and are constantly defending their half.

The red card. This was the final blow to Colombia, they had just perfected their game and this killed them off. The foul was silly and studs were up, I don't think it had any intent at all but it would class as violent or foul play as it was dangerous, but I think it was re refereed. Massive blow for their whole tournament.

French substitutions added into the dying embers of the match, Le Sommer and Henry add experience needed to see out a game like this. Le Sommer immediately starts creating chances and providing opportunities. Since the red card Colombia didn't lie down, they kept playing as they were but just struggled with the player difference, as the extra time waded on they dropped off, decision making got worse and France started dominating again.

Overall, I think France did everything they needed to do, getting the goal 5 minutes in, announcing themselves and dominating the pitch, Colombia had to fight and claw their way back. They let France get into their head too much with the opening goal, playing chaotically and losing all sight of any game plan, their left wing could definitely have been utilised more, but had Ramirez finished her chances then they wouldn't have needed to. The red card is a HUGE blow for them, we'll have to see how they approach the rest of their games. Great start for the hosts, could this be when they finally get the gold ?