2023-12-01 23:17:38
Despite a courageous performance, especially in the first half, Austria’s women’s national soccer team ultimately had to admit defeat to France’s world-class team in the Nations League on Friday evening. The ÖFB selection lost 0:3 (0:1) to the fifth in the world rankings in Rennes. In the final duel on Tuesday (7:15 p.m.) at home against Norway, a draw is enough for Austria to secure their stay in the A-League.
The Norwegians previously won clearly 4-0 against Portugal and are five points, two behind the ÖFB team (7 points). France (13) can no longer be pushed out of first place. The goals for the fifth-placed team in the world rankings were scored by Amandine Henry (5th), Eugénie Le Sommer (57th), who was denied by Manuela Zinsberger with a penalty shortly before half-time (44th), and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (84th).
In front of 26,453 spectators in the sold-out Roazhon Park, the second largest crowd for the ÖFB women’s team after the 68,871 from the European Championship opening game against England in July 2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, the French women had a perfect start. Henry headed in unchallenged from a free-kick cross to take the lead. The ÖFB selection didn’t let the early setback throw them off course, they acted extremely courageously and found top-class equalizing opportunities.
First, Barbara Dunst tested the French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with a powerful finish (7th), a little later Eileen Campbell missed miserably with her head (8th), completely unchallenged. Austria continued to hold the trigger. Marie Höbinger hit the crossbar from a half-left position (17′).
It was only after almost half an hour that the French managed to gradually take command again. Shortly before the break, the fifth-placed player in the world rankings finally had a huge chance to make it 2-0. The ball jumped to Sarah Puntigam’s hand in the penalty area, but Le Sommer was denied by Zinsberger from the spot.
After the restart, Campbell wasted the ball while running towards the goal (56′), and in return the preliminary decision was made. France’s record goalscorer Le Sommer converted from the edge of the penalty area. In this phase, the ÖFB selection paid a little tribute to the high effort of the first half. Team boss Irene Fuhrmann made two changes after an hour and brought on Julia Hickelsberger-Füller, who was celebrating her comeback to the national team after a long injury break.
There were no great opportunities for either side until the final phase. In the 84th minute, substitute Katoto scored with a well-placed header to make the final score 3-0. Virginia Kirchberger missed the best chance for a consolation goal (89th).
Team boss Irene Fuhrmann said that Austria had played a “very, very good game”. “In the end we can only blame ourselves for not scoring a goal.” Overall, it remains a defeat, “even though in my opinion it was a little too high. At the end of the day, we have to be a bit smarter,” emphasized Fuhrmann.
“I think you have to evaluate the result and the performance separately today. I can’t remember ever having had so much possession of the ball against France. That can also give us a boost,” said midfielder Laura Feiersinger. Zinsberger was annoyed that “we scored two of the three goals after dead balls.” The team could still go home “with their heads held high.”
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