Before Euro 2025, the French women’s football team overthrows the Brazilian despite a failed start

In the absence of a successful service against Brazil, Friday, June 27 in Grenoble, the Bleues are preparing to compete in Euro 2025 (from July 3 to 27), with a series of eight consecutive victories. Led 2-0, the French team won 3-2 thanks to a second period which must reassure them of their very difficult first 45 minutes. “I especially remember the state of mind and the character of this French team”welcomed the coach Laurent Bonadei.

The goals of the Habs were registered by Grace Geyoro (a double) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Their last defeat dates from December 2024, dominated by Spain in Nice (4-2).

But, faced with the Brazilians, the French, deprived of their Captain Griedge Mbock convalescence, received a warning that we hope for salutary. The 2024 Olympic vice-championes, which compete for Copa America from July 12, are responsible for reminding the Bleues that they have yet won anything on the international scene.

One week before his first game in the European Championship (July 5 against England), the French team would be well inspired to take it into account. “This is the best preparations for a European championship where the intensity will be very important”reacted Mr. Bonadei, after the meeting.

Bad offensive choice

On the field of the Stade des Alpes, in the presence of the mayor of Grenoble Eric Piolle and Jean-Michel Aulas, president of the Women’s Professional Football League to whom municipal ambitions are lent in Lyon, the Bleues have at least shown self-denial to overthrow a situation compromised by a catastrophic first period.

Because, against Brazil, the French team almost sank after 45 minutes of a ordeal where they were exceeded by the commitment and intensity of their opponent. “It was far from a friendly matchto Analysé Laurent Bonadei. They put us pressure and impact in duels. »»

In the first period, unable to relaunch and get out of the pressing of the South American, the French team is late on all duels. Too short on a return of the head, Selma Bacha, left side, is taken behind her back. Served intelligently by Kerolin, Luany crosses his strike for the opening of the score (7^e1-0).

A few minutes later, Thiniba Samoura in turn missed her release. Covered by a bad placement of Bacha, Kerolin is, this time, at the conclusion of a service of Duda Sampaio (12ᵉ, 2-0). Apatathic, the Bleues conceded a second goal.

If Pauline Peyraud-Magnin only conceded two goals-in twelve minutes-she owes it to a beautiful stop (25ᵉ, on a Kerolin shot) but also to bad offensive choices of the teammate of Marta, notably by Luany or Dudinha, entry into play in place of Gio.

Another turn

Without that, Brazil could have inflicted a K.-O. technique, very bad auspicious, to the players of Laurent Bonadei. Fortunately for the tricolors, the stoppages allow them to get their heads out of the water. Passed to the right for the occasion, Sandy Baltimore addresses a center, at the second post, for the resumption of the head of Kadidiatou Diani. Pushed back to its line by Lorena, the ball finally returns to Grace Geyoro, which reduces the scoring (45ᵉ, 2-1). An unexpected scenario but which relaunches the French team in great difficulty until then.

At the break, the coach transmits a message of hope to his players: “I told them that it was a difficult time as we had not known for a while and that we had to keep serenity and continue to believe it. »»

The second period takes another turn. Brazil gets many dangerous situations, without being precise at the right time. Like a failed tackle of Maëlle Lakrar (50ᵉ), in difficulty, which allows Marta to be at the reception of a dangerous center.

Finally, the French team, reinforced by its nozzle Marie-Antoinette Katototo, benefits from these procrastination. First with a little success since the strike of Grace Geyoro is countered by a Brazilian player. The trajectory of the ball takes, on the wrong foot, Lorena (55ᵉ, 2-2). The equalization is, at this time of the meeting, rather well paid.

But the Bleues will continue to push, supported by an enthusiastic Isérois audience (13,113 spectators according to the French Football Federation). The coach makes many changes which give new momentum to his team: Alice Sombath, Delphine Cascarino, Melvine Malard and Oriane Jean-François.

Lively

Author of a hat -trick against the Belgians a week ago, Malard forces Lorena to repel, as she can, a powerful shot. The ball is recovered by Cascarino, which centers for Katoto’s head (76ᵉ, 3-2). The future attacker of OL Lyonnes gives an almost unexpected advantage to the Habs, she who had not scored for five games. Five minutes later, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, excellent, preserves this victory thanks to magnificent stop on a shot from Duda Sampaio.

Wednesday June 25, Laurent Bonadei explained to Monde Why had he planned a last preparation match against Brazil: “This team is number 4 in the FIFA and solid athletically classification. It is ideal for achieving us and preparing us for their first match at the Euro. »» The adversity encountered has proved her right.

On July 5, in Zurich, the Bleues went directly to the heart of the matter with a meeting at the top against the English, reigning European champions in 2022 and vice-world champions in 2023. They will have to respond present as soon as they kick off if they do not want to experience a new disillusionment, after their quarter-final eliminations of the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.