Moncton, Canada: Eugenie Le Sommer’s spectacular first-half goal got France’s Women’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over long-suffering rivals England in their Group F clash in Moncton last night.
The ambitious French, ranked third and among the tournament favourites, dominated under intermittent drizzle in New Brunswick, condemning England to remain winless against their old rivals since 1974.
This was also the first time England’s women had lost an opening match in a World Cup.
A moment of brilliance from Le Sommer put the French ahead after 29 minutes when England’s Katie Chapman lost the ball in midfield and the Lyon striker rifled a rising drive past a diving Karen Bardsley.
It was the 45th goal in 106 caps for the 26-year-old Le Sommer.
The French, boosted by ten wins out of ten in the qualifying campaign with only three goals conceded, look to have the potential to go all the way in what is their third women’s world finals after finishing fourth in 2011.
The English, ranked sixth, are looking to push beyond the quarter-finals for the first time, and will go looking for their first points against Mexico on Saturday when France play Colombia.
It was also the French who stopped England’s run at Germany 2011, beating them in the quarter-finals, with ‘Les Bleues’ also coming off best at 2013 European championships.
Colombia and Mexico were scheduled to play later last night in the New Brunswick city.
On Monday, holders Japan and former winners the United States got their Women’s World Cup campaigns off to strong starts while Cameroon and Nigeria warned Africa would field challengers.
Japan grabbed three points in Group C against newcomers Switzerland thanks to captain Aya Miyama’s 29th-minute penalty, while in Group D the United States were given a rough ride before dispatching Australia 3-1.
But the performances of two of Africa’s teams – Cameroon and Nigeria – gave the continent hope a day after the humiliating 10-0 defeat of Ivory Coast to Germany.
Continental champions Nigeria fought back from two goals down to hold Sweden 3-3 in Group D, while Cameroon thrashed fellow newcomers Ecuador 6-0 in Group C.
“We’re galvanised and ready to make Africa proud,” warned Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu.
Midfielder Megan Rapinoe helped get the 1991 and 1999 winners on the winning path on front of thousands of US fans who travelled the short distance over the border to Winnipeg.
The Americans came up against a tenacious Australian side before Rapinoe’s double strike on 12 and 78 minutes and a Christen Press goal on 61 sealed victory.
“A couple of bits of class in the end from Rapinoe changed the game,” said Australia coach Alen Stajcic.
“I thought we put in a good performance but it’s not enough. We need to regroup and improve for the next game. It’s still a long way to go.”
Co-captain Lisa de Vanna marked her 100th cap for the Matildas with an equaliser after 27 minutes.
Solid goalkeeping by Hope Solo kept the US in strong shape.
As it is, Jill Ellis’s side are top of Group D with three points, followed by Nigeria and Sweden, with Australia at the bottom.
In the next game early Saturday morning in Winnipeg Stadium, the United States play Sweden with Australia up against Nigeria.
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