Le Sommer, Renard score as France edge Brazil 2-1

BRISBANE, Australia (AP):

Eugénie Le Sommer and Wendie Renard revived France’s Women’s World Cup ambitions with a goal each in a 2-1 win over Brazil this morning to give Les Bleues the lead in Group F.

After missing a diving header in the 13th minute, Le Sommer scored her 90th international goal to extend her French record four minutes later with an emphatic header that gave Brazilian goalkeeper Leticia little chance.

Debinha equalised for Brazil as the hour approached, and the game opened up as both teams pressed for a winner, the Brazilians desperate to end an 11-match winless streak against France.

But it was the set piece where French captain Renard clinched it, capitalising on some poor defence.

Renard, who had been in doubt for the match with a calf injury she picked up in the lacklustre 0-0 draw against Jamaica, was perfectly placed for a back-post header as the towering defender drifted to the edge of the box to meet a corner with a powerful header in the 83rd.

Hervé Renard has reassembled the French squad since taking over as coach, recalling veterans including Le Sommer and restoring the confidence of others like 33-year-old Renard.

After criticism of France’s opening performance for their lack of adventure and flair, his veterans clicked when it counted against Brazil.

“She’s a leader of the team. She’s efficient at scoring goals like today,” the French coach said of his captain. “If she wasn’t able to play today, I’m sure it wouldn’t be the same. We were lucky to have her today, congratulations to her to give us the victory for this game.”

Brazil had opened with a thumping 4-0 win over Panama, with Ary Borges scoring three goals and providing the back-heel assist for one of the goals of the tournament.

Against a more disciplined defence, the Brazilians were mostly unable to finish despite creating ample opportunities.

Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said she was disappointed with her team’s first half and inability to stick with the game plan and not contesting quickly enough for possession. She said the failure to build cohesion in the first half was more of a problem for the team than the set-piece defence that conceded France’s second goal.

“I’m more disappointed we couldn’t make this a game where we play like the Brazilian style,” she said.

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