WOMEN’S EURO 2022 – L’antisèche de France – Netherlands (1-0): Forget the curse, make way for great thrills

THE GAME: THE TASTE OF RISK

After 33 shots including 13 on target, the France team needed a penalty whistled after consulting the VAR to overcome the reigning European champions and vice-world champions in extra time. For sure, the Blues would have signed for such a scenario before the meeting, but we will remember that they played 30 extra minutes which could put them at a disadvantage against the Germans in four days. They could thus have taken cover very easily before the break, and this without the slightest challenge, as they outclassed their opponents.

Corinne Deacon’s players started off on the floor. However, they did not score in the first period, contrary to their habit. The French team wasted ammunition alone in front of the cage (Toletti 23rd, Geyoro 86th) and stumbled on Daphne Van Domselaar (22nd, 65th, 66th, 90th + 2, 90th + 3), heroic replacement for Sari van Veenendaal. We also wonder if the usual incumbent would have delayed the deadline for so long. Les Bleues then thought they scored two goals but Van der Gragt stopped them with the knee (37th) and chest (41st). The light finally came from a penalty from Eve Perisset, shot from the right side of Van Domselaar… who touched the ball. In vain. For the greatest pleasure of France.

THE PLAYERS: DIANI, THREE FACES IN ONE MATCH

It is worth noting the perfect match played by the tricolor defense, impervious to the (too) rare opposing occasions. Wendie Renard and Mbock were solid and regulated the Dutch highlights perfectly. They pushed everything back in the dying seconds, when the opposing pressure was maximum. If the Netherlands have been so uninspired, it is largely because (thanks) to them.

On the other side of the field, Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani pulled the team up. The biggest actions of the meeting came out of their feet, the OL winger finding the post in the first period with a pure gesture from outside the area (27th). Diani, for her part, delivered three matches in one: proactive until the break, set back after her passage in the axis at the exit of Melvine Malard before finding her legs.

It is the PSG striker, moreover, who snatches the penalty from Dominique Janssen in extra time. Special mention also to Selma Bacha, who entered the game on the hour mark, who boosted the orange block for her 10th selection. The Lyonnaise was awarded the trophy for the best player of the match.

THE X FACTOR: THE VAR, ONCE AGAIN

The video assistance had been unfavorable to the Blues against Iceland. It was quite the opposite on Saturday night. The VAR allowed Ivana Martincic to rule out an intervention by Dominique Janssen on Kadidiatou Diani which she considered lawful. The consultation took a few seconds to offer the happiness of a night to the French team, qualified for the first time in its history in the semi-finals of the Euro.

THE STAT: 1

After five consecutive failures in the quarter-finals (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), the Habs have shattered their glass ceiling and reached the last four at high speed. They will face Germany next Wednesday in Milton Keynes.

THE TWEET: FINALLY!

THE DECLA: EVE PERISSET (FRANCE)

“We consulted with Wendie (Renard) and she asked me if I was OK to shoot since the Dutch are playing at OL with her. I did it for the team. I was number 2 for penalties. I had to assume my responsibilities”.

THE QUESTION: CAN THEY GO TO THE END?

A new tournament opens in front of the Blue. They finally exorcised the old demons that haunted their elders to see the last four of a continental competition. The Germans now stand in their way. Hermetic without being reassuring (0 goals conceded in 4 games), they have a fiery attack. Germany, eight European crowns on the clock, is the team that has tried the most since the start of the Euro (82 shots) and has shaken the opposing nets 11 times.

But what makes the strength of this team of France, it is the excess of function of its players when it is necessary to mark. Danger can come from anywhere. New example on Saturday evening with the penalty scored by Eve Perisset, the seventh Frenchwoman to score a goal in this Euro. In addition, for the first time in four games, the Blues did not give in. They already knew their striking power (5-1 against Italy in the opening, the actions of Saturday evening).

This clean sheet comes at the right time. We will have to be just as solid defensively against Germany, who will come out as favourites. And if it was this outsider costume that stuck best to Corinne Deacon’s players?