The Bleues fail against Australia and perhaps lose Selma Bacha, injured at the end of the game

Defeat to Australia in their final warm-up is disturbing, but it’s Selma Bacha’s late-game injury that is the most worrying news for the Bleues. Friday 14 July in Melbourne was not a celebration for the French women’s national team, beaten 1-0 on a goal by Mary Fowler (66And). Above all, the Habs could find themselves deprived for the World Cup (July 20-August 20) of a new top-class player.

Read also: World Cup 2023: the Bleues lose their last preparation match against Australia

Four injured internationals are already missing from the French selection list: Amandine Henry, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Griedge Mbock and Delphine Cascarino. The Lyon team, who played as a left winger against the Matildas, must undergo tests to find out the severity of his ankle injury, which seemed to come on from an apparently harmless action during recovery time.

“I went to see her, we were all with her. Her ankle has twisted, let’s hope it’s not too bad. This is the worst news of the eveningHervé Renard reacted after the match. We remain patient while waiting for the doctor’s verdict and further tests. The doctor will do it as soon as possible. We are always worried, we must measure ourselves, not rush into comments. »

little satisfaction

Hervé Renard’s fourth meeting as coach was complicated: a first defeat after three consecutive victories and a lackluster performance by his players in all areas of play. Having landed last Sunday in Australia, after a long journey, the Bleues had only a few days to adjust to the Australian winter and jet lag (plus eight hours).

After a fairly even first half, where they had two great chances from Grace Geyoro and Kadidiatou Diani in front of 50,629 spectators at the Marvel Stadium – an Australian record for a women’s soccer match – the Tricolores encountered enormous difficulties in the second period, pushed by with legs, with an oiled collective game. Mary Fowler logically concluded a counterattack conducted on the right side. The Manchester City player found herself alone six yards out, taking over a central defender from Hayley Satin.

Selma Bacha winces in pain after injuring her ankle against Australia on July 14, 2023 in Melbourne.

Hervé Renard had little success, neither in defense nor in his team’s offensive animation. Captain Wendie Renard’s teammates will need to find the resources to show another face on July 23, in Sydney, in their first match of the 2023 World Cup against Jamaica.

By James Brown

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