After five failures at the quarter-final stage and three years after their last knockout match against the United States at the 2019 World Cup, the French women’s team finally hoped to overcome the curse, this Saturday, against the Netherlands and thus joining Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2022. At New York Stadium in Rotherham, Corinne Deacon’s Bleues therefore presented themselves in 4-3-3. In front of Peyraud-Magnin, aligned in goal, Perisset, Mbock, Renard and Karchaoui formed the defensive quartet. In the midfield, it was Bilbault and Geyoro who accompanied Toletti. Finally, Diani and Cascarino surrounded Malard on the attacking front.
Les Bleues in lack of realism!
Determined to join the Germans, who fell from Austria in the previous round (2-0) and eight-time European champions, the French – first in their pool by beating Italy and Belgium, before conceding a draw against Iceland – therefore had to get rid of the Dutch who started in 4-2-3-1. Present in the Dutch cages, Van Domselaar was protected by Wilms, Van der Gragt, Janssen and Casparij. In the middle, Groenen and Spitse formed the double pivot while Beerensteyn, Van de Donk and Pelova supported Miedema, who was alone up front. Dominating from the first moments, the Blues fell despite everything on an imperial Dutch goalkeeper.
In the lair of New York Stadium, well known to the Habs, Cascarino, very active during the first act, thus quickly distinguished himself but Van Domselaar pushed back with his fingertips (22nd). Master of the debates, France even thought to open the score a few moments later. On a corner from Toletti, badly repelled by the Batavian defense, Cascarino, again, armed a half-volley of the right which finally crashed on the amount of the Batavian goalkeeper, beaten (27th). In lack of realism, the French continually stumbled on the Dutch defense, like this strike from Malard, repelled by Van der Gragt (37th) or this in-extremis rescue of this same Van der Gragt on an attempt at the end bearing from Geyoro (41st).
Eve Périsset frees the Blues!
Hanging on – despite an undeniable domination – the troops of Corinne Deacon marked time a little on the way back from the locker room. Cooled by the defensive realism of the Dutch, the Blues were no longer so incisive on the front of the attack and the debates were balanced. We finally had to wait for the hour mark to see Bacha, found by Toletti, try his luck (65th). In the process, Renard framed his head but also failed to deceive Van Domselaar, vigilant on his line (67th). Very rarely – if not ever – worried defensively, the Bleues always experienced the same difficulties against the Dutch goal, like Geyoro who saw his header graze the frame of Van Domselaar (86th) or this final header from Renard , heroically diverted by the Dutch goalkeeper (90 + 4th).
Despite 22 attempts – against only 4 for the Netherlands – France therefore left for thirty additional minutes and a decisive overtime phase. Dangerous from the first moments, Mateo’s teammates quickly stood out. Found in depth, Diani obtained a penalty after an irregular tackle from Janssen. After the intervention of the VAR, Périsset perfectly transformed the sentence and gave the advantage to the Blues. Solid defensively and still as restless offensively, France retained their advantage and won by a short header (1-0). Place now in the semi-finals where the Blues will find Germany!
The official line-ups at kick-off
France XI
The French 1⃣1⃣ for this 1/4 final of the@WEURO2022 against the Netherlands 👊
🇫🇷🇳🇱 | #FRAPBS | #ProudToBeBlues #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/qXhVVIEwyF
— French Women’s Team (@equipedefranceF) July 23, 2022
Netherlands XI
Eleven vs Frankrijk! ⚔️🇫🇷
Live = back! 💥#WEURO2022 #FRANED pic.twitter.com/hpbbFKDuwN
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 23, 2022