With a partially redesigned formation, the Blues made a successful comeback against weak Finland (5-0) on Wednesday at the Tournoi de France, the squad review benefiting in particular Clara Matéo and Kheira Hamraoui, who came into play almost three years later. his last appearance.
This easy success allows the defending champions to take control of the competition before their second meeting, Saturday in Caen against Brazil which, earlier, had hooked the Dutch European champions (1-1).
Corinne Deacon had said that there would be "no second team" at kick-off, but the coach made a counterpoint on Wednesday by aligning her number two goalkeeper Solène Durand, relaunching Marion Torrent to the right of defense and giving playing time to the few capped Clara Matéo and Melvine Malard.
The workforce review bore fruit against the little raised Finland, 28th nation in the FIFA rankings, whose sad evening began with a hiccup with the wrong anthem played at the Océane stadium, as a sign.
Mateo shines
The Paris FC striker, Clara Matéo, distinguished herself by a lively part, with percussion, speed and precious set pieces.
At 24, the native of Nantes improved her seventh selection by delivering two decisive corners for the heads of Melvine Malard (2-0, 16th) and Wendie Renard (3-0, 34th), also scorer in the 89th.
Matéo could even have dreamed even bigger without a recalcitrant post (73rd) after a shot triggered after a slalom in the opposing defense.
From the height of his 21 years, Malard also took advantage of the hand extended by the coach to shoot down his cards from the right wing of the attack.
Lively and decisive, she scored her third goal in 9 selections.
Same age and same talent for Sandy Baltimore who, from the opposite corridor on the left, caused many torments to his vis-à-vis.
A minute after a nice recovery above (11th), the Paris SG winger provoked an own goal from Anna Westerlund (1-0, 12th).
She is also the one who takes the winning corner for Renard's last goal.
Read alsoFrench team: why Corinne Deacon recalls Kheira Hamraoui
Hamraoui, 3 years later
Beyond the final result, the evening was marked by the return to the tricolor jersey of Kheira Hamraoui, a major event almost three years after her previous selection, and more than three months after the assault she suffered.
The 3,600 spectators listed in Le Havre did not react when she entered the game, in the 62nd minute, but Deacon and Charlotte Bilbault, whom she replaced, were warmer, with smiles and hugs.
The former Barcelonan has long awaited her 37th selection and this one matters all the more as it could bring her closer to a place at the Euro, in 5 months in July in England, which would have been completely unimaginable there. a few months ago, and even more a few days ago.
Forfeited on injury in October, after a first surprise recall, Hamraoui (32) had never entered the plans of Deacon, who had only offered him a handful of seconds in April 2019 in a friendly against Japan (3- 1).
Neither in those of Olivier Echouafni, his predecessor (two selections in 2016).
His entry into play, sober and effective, makes you want to see more against a tougher opposition.
That's good, Brazil and the Netherlands will soon appear in this Tournoi de France.