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Monday, June 24, 2019

FRANCE 2019 ROUND OF 16: France through to the last eight after beating Brazil 2-1 in a thriller


  • Henry volleyed home the winner in the second period of extra time

  • WATCH: Highlights and post-match press conference


  • 18:48

    Henry the heroine for Les Bleues

    A stunning match in Le Havre – surely game of the tournament so far – ended in joy for France and despair for Brazil. Les Bleues had been heavy favourites going into this match but Brazil made a mockery of this odds by outplaying the hosts in a tense first half. France improved thereafter and took the lead through Gauvin, but were pegged back inside 11 minutes by a fine Thaisa equaliser. Both sides had chances to win it but it was France who pushed hardest in extra time and claimed the decisive goal when Henry, their skipper, volleyed home in the 107th minute.

    Next up
    France v USA/Spain: Paris, 28 June, 21:00
    SL2L2271_2019062392402825

    18:38

    Corinne Diacre, France coach

    “We did what we needed to do tonight but it wasn’t easy. Brazil were very tough and gave us a real run for our money, even in extra time. Fortunately we were able to pull it out of the bag. The first-half was very tricky, very tense, and we weren’t getting our passes right. We weren't at our best - I felt I didn't recognise my team out there. I told the players to start having fun out there, enjoy the game, and to be a bit more patient when they were on the ball. And that’s what we saw in the second half. We’re going to be watching the Spain-USA game very closely now and looking forward to the quarter-finals.”
    AGX20315_2019062371119817

    18:33

    Amandine Henry, Player of the Match

    “We know we can always do better but we were looking for a mental victory and we’re very happy with the outcome. It definitely wasn’t a walk in the park tonight. For the goal, I normally look to make a run to the back post but it worked out well. The thing I remember most is my team-mates jumping on top of me! Now we have to recover and get ready for the quarter-finals.”
    SL2L2312_2019062392337825

    18:26

    Vadao, Brazil coach

    “The entire match was incredible. It was very balanced. I think we’ve played four very good matches at this tournament and [losing] is just part of football. But we made it difficult for France today. We equalised and had a chance to go ahead, but we were never going to boss the game for the entire match because these teams are the best in the world. There is a renewal taking place but, going forward, there shouldn’t be too many changes. Players like Marta and Cristiane should be playing for a few more years yet.”

    18:20
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    A winner like Marta is always ready to move ahead, looking for the next challenge. "It was a great experience for all of us, and now it's time to take advantage of this exposure and make the women's game even bigger and better. The World Cup has ended for Brazil, but we need to keep on going. Next year we have the Olympics. And we are very grateful about all the love that came from our country during this run."
    SL2L2436_2019062393357920

    18:15
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    Brazil took the hit, but are leaving the World Cup with their heads up. As Marta said afterwards: "I'm proud of our performance, the grit that we showed until the end. That's the feeling that I will keep with me. Those are the kind of matches that will help women's football to continue to grow."
    AGX23501_2019062393516168

    18:07

    Hands up if you're heading to the last eight...

    By making it through tonight, France maintained the record of FIFA Women's World Cup hosts always qualifying for the quarter-finals.

    , Brazil coach
    “The entire match was incredible. It was very balanced. I think we’ve played four very good matches at this tournament and [losing] is just part of football. But we made it difficult for France today. We equalised and had a chance to go ahead, but we were never going to boss the game for the entire match because these teams are the best in the world. There is a renewal taking place but, going forward, there shouldn’t be too many changes. Players like Marta and Cristiane should be playing for a few more years yet.”

    18:20
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    A winner like Marta is always ready to move ahead, looking for the next challenge. "It was a great experience for all of us, and now it's time to take advantage of this exposure and make the women's game even bigger and better. The World Cup has ended for Brazil, but we need to keep on going. Next year we have the Olympics. And we are very grateful about all the love that came from our country during this run."
    SL2L2436_2019062393357920

    18:15
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    Brazil took the hit, but are leaving the World Cup with their heads up. As Marta said afterwards: "I'm proud of our performance, the grit that we showed until the end. That's the feeling that I will keep with me. Those are the kind of matches that will help women's football to continue to grow."
    AGX23501_2019062393516168

    18:07

    Hands up if you're heading to the last eight...

    By making it through tonight, France maintained the record of FIFA Women's World Cup hosts always qualifying for the quarter-finals.
    SL2L2738_2019062394338034

    18:04
    17:51

    And a round of applause for Les Bleues

    The hosts showed real character to come through a major test tonight. 
    AGX23927_2019062394456263

    17:50

    Take a bow, Brazil

    What an effort Marta & Co gave tonight. Their form had been miserable leading into this tournament but they produced an outstanding performance tonight.
    ML016828_2019062394320750

    17:46

    Rivals' respect

    France know they've been in a real game tonight. The scenes afterwards reflect that, with plenty of respect on show for the beaten Brazilians.
    AGX23808_2019062394136220

    17:44
    17:42
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    Brazil fought a great battle against France. It is a painful loss, but the players can leave the pitch knowing that they did their best and gave the hosts an almighty scare. This match may mark the end of a generation, but A Sele莽茫o have talent in the likes of Debinha and Andressa Alves to return to the World Cup as a squad to be reckoned with.
    AGX23869_2019062394116235

    17:41
    FRA
    Emmanuelle Hingant
    FRAEmmanuelle Hingant
    What a feeling in Le Havre! France's physical superiority was obvious during extra time and they'll need to recover. But we can count on the staff to do a good job. Will Corinne Diacre be happy with her 4-4-2 before changing to a 4-2-3-1? Let's see. 
    AGX23836_2019062394116234

    17:40

    17:38
    France France
    Statistics
    Brazil Brazil
    52%
    48%
    Ball possession
    Attempts
    15Attempts12
    4On-Target6
    9Off-Target4
    2Blocked2
    Disciplinary
    10Fouls Committed21
    1Yellow cards4
    0Second Yellow Card leading to Red Card0
    0Red Cards0
    Attacking
    7Corners4
    1Offsides5
    26Free kicks11
    5Saves2
    View All Statistics

    The referee blows for the end of the second period of extra time.
    IT'S ALL OVER! FRANCE ARE THROUGH!
    After a thrilling encounter that took them to their very limit, Les Bleues have advanced to the quarter-finals. 
    AGX23231_2019062392836114

    17:37

    Staring at defeat

    The Women's World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and arguably the greatest female player of all time, looks to be on the verge of heading home.
    SL2L2449_2019062393417929

    118'

    Sakina KARCHAOUI (in) comes off the bench to replace Amel MAJRI (out) (France)
    17:33

    A hug for a heroine

    Henry's goal looks like being the match-winner here, unless Brazil can conjure something special in the final three minutes.
    AGX23175_2019062392901119

    17:30
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    Brazil now need to dig deep and find any energy they have left. But it is a challenging situation. The French crowd is energied and rising to the occasion to inspire their team to one final effort.
    BE9I0552_2019062392917874

    17:29

    Scenes of celebration

    This is what that Henry goals means to France. Can they now hang on to claim a memorable victory?
    BE9I0497_2019062392337867

    SL2L2227_2019062392537856

    109'

    Eve PERISSET (in) comes off the bench to replace Marion TORRENT (out) (France)
    107'

    Amandine HENRY (France) scores!!
    Cometh the hour, cometh the captain! Just when France looked to be struggling for ideas, Henry fires them in front, charging in on a beautifully weighted inswinging free-kick from Majri to volley home from close range. The crowd erupts!
    AGX12834_2019062392436081

    ML016756_2019062392335573

    17:21

    Penalty pain

    Brazil, like the French, have mixed memories of Women's World Cup shootouts. Their last one was in a famous encounter with USA that ended in heartbreak for the South Americans.

    The referee signals the start of the second period of extra time.
    17:20

    Debinha denied

    Brazil thought they had a certain goal there when Debinha used her lightning pace to break through and beat the keeper. She was denied, though, by an amazing goal-line clearance from Griedge Mbock Bathy. 
    BE9I0448_2019062391757763

    17:19
    France France
    Statistics at 105'
    Brazil Brazil
    52%
    48%
    Ball possession
    11Attempts12
    71%Pass Accuracy70%
    1 0 Disciplinary 4 0
    View All Statistics

    The referee blows for the end of the first period of extra time.
    17:16
    FRA
    Emmanuelle Hingant
    FRAEmmanuelle Hingant
    France give the impression that they're taking over physically. They went through such extensive athletic preparation before this World Cup that it's not surprising to see them reap the benefits now. 
    CM9I0342_2019062391237692

    101'

    KATHELLEN (Brazil) is booked by the referee.
    17:10
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    To see Cristiane leaving the pitch being carried away by the medical staff is a sad image. The veteran striker has dealt with so many injuries in the past few seasons. That's why she played the entire 90 minutes tonight for the first time at the tournament. It was an inspiring effort. Geyse, her replacement, is the youngest player in the squad.
    17:10

    Playing with passion

    Both sides are pushing for a potential winner here. But no clear-cut chances so far in this opening period of extra time.
    BE9I1155_2019062385457539

    96'

    GEYSE (in) comes off the bench to replace CRISTIANE (out) (Brazil)
    17:04
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    Well, who out there is prepared for some drama? France controlled the ball in the second half, but Brazil were still able to hang on. The atmosphere here in Le Havre is very tense, which should be seen as a bonus for A Sele莽茫o. Let's hope they will have the legs to stay competitive.
    AGX22860_2019062390115832

    17:03

    France on the spot

    If this game goes to penalties, France's players are sure to have mixed memories of their Women’s World Cup shootout experiences. They won their first against England in 2011 but lost to Germany in 2015, both in the quarter-finals.

    The referee signals the start of the first period of extra time.
    16:59
    FRA
    Emmanuelle Hingant
    FRAEmmanuelle Hingant
    The second half was a bit more even and Brazil reacted to well to France going in front. The change of tactics didn't come to fruition but the arrival of fresh players like Thiney and Cascarino can only be good for Les Bleues. France also have two substitutions left in extra time. 
    AGX22477_2019062384235668

    16:57
    France France
    Statistics at 90'
    Brazil Brazil
    51%
    49%
    Ball possession
    7Attempts10
    73%Pass Accuracy71%
    1 0 Disciplinary 3 0
    View All Statistics

    The referee brings the second period to an end.
    Extra time it is! Both sides had half-chances towards the end of that match but it's going to take another 30 minutes -  at least - to find a winner.
    AGX22250_2019062385335768

    90'+3'

    Delphine CASCARINO (in) comes off the bench to replace Valerie GAUVIN (out) (France)
    FRA
    Emmanuelle Hingant
    FRAEmmanuelle Hingant
    Diani goes back up front while Cascarino enters the fray on the right. France need fresh players and fresh ideas.

    16:52

    Holding out for a heroine

    Is there time for someone to settle this in normal time? And could Marta be the player to provide that moment of magic?
    BE9I1109_2019062385017490

    16:51
    89'

    POLIANA (in) comes off the bench to replace LETICIA SANTOS (out) (Brazil)
    BRA
    Giancarlo Giampietro
    BRAGiancarlo Giampietro
    Poliana enters the game for defensive purposes. The right-back is taller and more physical than Let铆cia Santos. It's the third substitution for Vad茫o, but let's remember that in extra-time, coaches have the right to make a fourth change.
    16:49

    Evenly balanced

    France have enjoyed more possession in this second half but Brazil are still more than holding than their own, and look dangerous every time they attack.
    France France
    Statistics at 87'
    Brazil Brazil
    52%
    48%
    Ball possession
    7Attempts9
    72%Pass Accuracy71%
    1 0 Disciplinary 3 0
    View All Statistics
    SL2L1840_2019062384357426

    16:45
    FRA
    Emmanuelle Hingant
    FRAEmmanuelle Hingant
    The substitution we were waiting for. France will finish in a 4-2-3-1, with Thiney distributing the ball to Diani on the right and Le Sommer on the left. 
    SL2L1808_2019062384237408

    82'

    BEATRIZ (Brazil) is booked by the referee.
    81'

    Gaetane THINEY (in) comes off the bench to replace Viviane ASSEYI (out) (France)
    16:39

    France
    Brazil
    BRA

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