Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes France’s pair of UEFA Women’s Nations League matches Norway. First, away in Oslo, then at home in Reims (1/11/23).
Above: The France team that started their UEFA Nations League game in Oslo against Norway. Photo: Tim GUIGON / FFF.
Norway 1-2 France
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway – 27th October
The first serious opportunity was for Norway in the fourth minute, but it was France who opened the scoring when a cross from Julie Dufour was diverted into her own net by Maren Mjelde twenty minutes later.
France suffocated Norway in midfield with a big press and dominated the first half with more than 60% of possession. The game was more equal at the beginning of the second half, and Norway got even by scoring on the hour by Marit Bratberg Lund who pushed the ball in after a mess in front of the goal.
The fact that Sakina Karchaoui tried too often to control the ball for too long instead of releasing it sooner did not help France to be dangerous in the first quarter of the second half. Thankfully for France, the Selma Bacha – Wendie Renard duo struck again; Bacha with the corner kick and Renard putting the ball home with a header to put France ahead on 69 minutes.
After their second goal, France took the game on and had several great opportunities to score. In the last 10 minutes, Norway players pushed more to try to get even, and they had several opportunities, but without being able to score.
Especially noteworthy was the very good performance of Julie Dufour, 22 years old, for her first selection as starter in the French team; she was involved in a lot of the most dangerous actions and delivered a decisive pass. Dufour was also elected best player of the match. A special mention for Wendie Renard who was captain for the 80th time and she scored her 37th goal for her 153rd selection in France team.
Teams: NORWAY (4-4-2): Mikalsen, Lund, Harviken, Mjelde, Thorisdottir, Bjelde, Engen, Boe Risa, Maanum, Löfwenius, Haug. Substitutes: Saevik, Terland, Tandberg, Naalsund, Bizet Ildhusoy.
Scorers: Lund (60’).
FRANCE (4-3-3:) Picaud, Karchaoui, Renard, Mbock, De Almeida, Bacha, Henry, Geyoro, Dufour, Le Sommer, Diani. Substitutes: Becho, Toletti, Majri, Baltimore.
Scorers: Mjelde (23’ Own Goal), Renard (69’).
Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG).
Attendance: 9,062.
France 0-0 Norway
Auguste Delaune Stadium, Reims, France – 31st October
France came close to opening the scoring on 25 minutes but Aurora Mikalsen, Norway’s goalkeeper, importantly saved Sandy Baltimore’s shot from distance. France had more than 60% of possession and five corners, but not with a lot of true opportunities.
France players put more speed in their play at the beginning of second half and had two opportunities in the first five minutes, which prompted another great save from Mikalsen in the 67th minute, and, again France continued to push but Sandy Baltimore’s shot hit the post on 70 minutes.
There were a lot of inaccuracies in the French passing which prevented them from being more dangerous in front of the goal. There was another shot by Amandine Henry that hit the right-hand post in the 85th minute, and then the crossbar was found by Eugénie Le Sommer one minute later, but still no goal came for France. They had 22 shots with only five on target.
Teams: FRANCE (4-3-3): Picaud, Karchaoui, Renard, Mbock, De Almeida, Geyoro, Henry, Toletti, Dufour, Le Sommer, Baltimore. Substitutes: Diani, Lakrar, Becho, Bourdieu.
NORWAY (4-3-3): Mikalsen, Lund, Harviken, Mjelde, Bjelde, Saevik, Engen, Boe Risa, Löfwenius, Haug, Terland. Substitutes: Maanum, Hansen, Naalsund.
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (UKR).
Attendance: 13,000.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 