Wales 1-2 France: Heroic Wales fall to France

Wales put in an immense performance in Llanelli, but it just wasn’t enough, as France came away with a 2-1 victory.

Goals from influential captain Wendie Renard and Marie-Antoinette Katoto looked to have killed the game off, but Sophie Ingle’s deflected goal breathed life and excitement into the game. However, France showed their quality and closed out the game well.

The first half was quick with chances a plenty, and France started the better. A cross from Kididiatou Diani almost found the head of Delphine Cascarino, but Rhiannon Roberts did well to head it away.

A minute later Wales had their first opportunity. Carrie Jones, who caused the French numerous problems early on, got down the wing and her cross was missed by Jess Fishlock, and the follow up shot by Ceri Holland was blocked well by France.

Diani was the go-to figure for French attacks, and it was her who had the next chance. Her shot was tipped onto the post by Laura O’Sullivan, before the winger ran back to put in a fantastic cross, which ghosted past the post.

But again, Wales didn’t lie down and had another chance on the 20-minute mark. A cross from Tash Harding was not punched away convincingly by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, and Fishlock ran onto it, but she couldn’t quite connect cleanly with her volley, and France were able to clear.

On the half hour mark, Renard started to make her presence felt. A header was floated in towards her, and her cushioned header was tipped round the post expertly by O’Sullivan. But from the resulting corner, Renard leapt and delivered a powerful header which ended up in the bottom corner, to put the visitors ahead.

The goal seemed to knock Wales’ confidence, but they held on and went into half time only trailing by the one goal.

• Helen Ward has no regrets ahead of reaching 100 caps for Wales
  
• Strength in depth is the key for Tash Harding

Cymru started the second half well, keeping the ball and moving the French defence around, but they received a sucker punch in the 57^th minute.

Hayley Ladd played a ball back to O’Sullivan, but she couldn’t get the ball out of her feet in time. Instead, she kicked it into Marie-Antoinette Katoto, and the in-form striker put the ball into the empty net to double the lead.

The goal deflated Wales for a while, but they injected themselves and the crowd to life in the 71^st minute. A corner by Angharad James wasn’t cleared by Les Bleus, and the ball fell to Sophie Ingle on the edge of the box, and her shot was deflected past the French keeper, and the game was well and truly on.

Helen Ward came on in the 90^th minute, and became the seventh Welsh player to join the illustrious hundred club.

Unfortunately for the home side, they just couldn’t quite grab that second goal, France showing their prowess and experience by closing out the game, but Gemma Grainger and her side should feel incredibly proud of themselves.

Player of the Match: Carrie Jones

Led the line incredibly well today in the absence of Kayleigh Green. First half in particular caused problem to players of real experience.

Wales

Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle (C), Angharad James, Jess Fishlock, Tash Harding (Ffion Morgan, 90’), Carrie Jones, Ceri Holland (Helen Ward, 90’)

Unused Subs: Olivia Clark (GK), Poppy Soper (GK), Lily Woodham, Josie Green, Helen Ward, Chloe Williams, Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Meg Wynne, Anna Filbey, Ffion Morgan

Goals: Sophie Ingle (71’)

Yellow Cards: Angharad James (43’)

France

Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (GK), Eve Perisset (Marion Torrent, 89’), Wendie Renard (C), Sandie Toletti (Kenza Dali, 77’), Sakina Karchaoui, Grace Geyoro (Ella Palis, 89’), Marie-Antionette Katoto (Clara Mateo, 77’), Kadidiatou Diani, Charlotte Bilbault, Griedge Mbockk Bathy, Delphine Cascarino (Sandy Baltimore, 63’)

Unused Subs: Solène Durand (GK), Mylène Chavas (GK), Aissatou Tounkara, Ella Palis, Ouleymata Sarr, Perle Morroni, Viviane Asseyi, Hawa Cissoko

Goals: Wendie Renard (31’), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (57’)

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)