Amandine Henry capitalises on a four-inch height advantage over Rita Chikwelu to win a header. The France captain has won the ball back, distributed it effectively, and even flashed a volley just wide.
15' 17 Jun 2019
Valerie GAUVIN (France) sees her effort hit the target.
Brilliant football from Les Bleues. Amel Majri, again, whips in a superb cross, and Valerie Gauvin, who demonstrates desire to get to the ball, heads it over. The crowd love it!
15:13 17/06
France find their feet... and turn on the style
After a slow start, France have slipped into their renowned rhythm. They link up so swimmingly. Amel Majri is heavily involved down the left.
15:11 17/06
FRA
Emmanuelle Hingant
Nigerian danger
Corinne Diacre and her players warned us before the game: the key to it will be to react quickly after losing the ball, because Nigeria are really fast on the counter-attack. We saw it with a first corner that the African team got and where they already showed they were dangerous.
15:10 17/06
NGA
Ann Odong
Doing what the gaffer demanded
The opening ten minutes has seen the Super Falcons doing exactly what their coach would have wanted: winning the ball back high up the pitch and transitioning quickly. Dennerby wants Nigeria to be aggressive: “We always try to play aggressive defending. Aggressive for me is to use your body, run fast to press, to go to your position as fast as you can.”
15:04 17/06
Falcons start fast!
Nigeria make a fine start, pinning France back and winning a corner. Early pressure on their opponents is just what they needed.
0' 17 Jun 2019
The referee signals the start of the first period.
A huge roar goes up in Rennes! The atmosphere is superb.
14:57 17/06
An ettie™ cuddle!
14:50 17/06
French out in force
14:49 17/06
Getting a feel of Roazhon Park
14:48 17/06
Inside the Falcons' dressing room
14:46 17/06
FRA
Emmanuelle Hingant
Dream
Viviane Asseyi must be living the dream. Having not played in a FIFA youth tournament, she'll get her first World Cup minutes today. How do you reckon she's feeling!?
14:45 17/06
No draws for Nigeria
Nigeria haven't drawn a game in 2019. The Super Falcons' record reads four wins and five defeats. They finished 2018, by contrast, with back-to-back goalless draws.
14:42 17/06
NGA
Ann Odong
Africa is behind you!
Anita Asanta is a freelance writer from Ghana here to cover the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She provided her thoughts on the match: “I think the Nigerians are going into the game very mindful that they need to win and that they have a very good chance of surviving in the tournament. They are going to look to exploit the weaknesses of the French team that were apparent against Norway. In that match France were not clinical in attack. I think if Nigeria are able to unsettle the French defence with their aggressiveness then Les Bleues could be in trouble. Then again the pressure is on Nigeria, which is going to make this game so wonderful to watch. Africa is behind them!”
France and Nigeria met at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, and Marie-Laure Delie emerged as the match-winner.
14:3117/06
Painted at Roazhon Park!
It's apparant who this excited young fan is supporting!
14:3017/06
Where do they rank?
France are fourth on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, below leaders USA, Germany and England. Nigeria are top in African and 38th overall.
14:2017/06
15 from 16
France have impressively won 15 of their last 16 games, scoring 54 goals and conceding only six. Their only slip-up during this run was a 1-0 loss to Germany, with Lea Schuller getting the only goal.
14:1717/06
FRA
Emmanuelle Hingant
Change up top for France
Up front, Viviane Asseyi is getting her first start of the competition, on the left. Delphine Cascarino gets her right-wing position back after leaving it to Kadidiatou Diani against Norway. Gaetane Thiney's duty will be to link both. Valerie Gauvin, who scored her first goal of France 2019 on Matchday 2, keeps her spot.
Emmanuelle Hingant 
Ann Odong 
Nigeria 
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