Bleues & Bleuettes: full steam ahead for France's national teams!

Trailing Portugal on goal difference, Les Bleuettes needed a win on Tuesday (11 April) to secure qualification for the Euro 2023 knock-out rounds. RC Strasbourg star Pauline Hagou scored first for France in the 20th minute, but Portugal were not giving up without a fight. Cheered on by a large cohort of travelling fans, Lara Costa snatched an equaliser in the 38th minute. France came back strong in the second period, sealing qualification with a goal from Thiniba Samoura (79’). Four Bordeaux players featured in the game: Marion Haelewyn, Fiona Liaigre and Maëlle Seguin for France, and their team-mate Serena Pinto de Queiros for Portugal.

Marion Haelewyn played the full 90 minutes, while Fiona Liaigre came on in the 65th minute. Maëlle Seguin was left on the bench this time. France are now qualified for the Euro 2023 finals, to be played in Belgium from 18 to 30 July 2023. The draw for the finals will be held on 26 April.

With 100 days to go until the World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, Les Bleues put on another commanding display to get the better of Olympic gold medallists Canada in a friendly at Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans. Connecting with a cross from Delphine Cascarino, Grace Geyoro placed her header perfectly to beat Canadian keeper Sheridan and put France into the lead (1-0, 51’). Sheridan was later caught too far off her line, and Léa Le Garrec punished her error with an excellent lob (2-0’). Canada got a consolation goal in the 71st minute, but the game ended 2-1 to France. Mylène Chavas was on the bench this time.