Women’s World Cup 2011, Nigeria Vs. France: Les Bleues Win, But Don’t Impress

France, with all of their technical quality compared to their opponents, were expected to control possession and defeat Nigeria comfortably in the opening match of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They are a more disciplined side, they keep their shape better, they pass the ball well, and they have 10 members of the European club champions on their side. Still, things didn’t go terribly smoothly for France, and they struggled to a 1-0 victory over a Nigeria team that they probably should have defeated in a much more comfortable fashion.

The first half saw the game played almost exclusively in one quarter of the field in rather bizarre fashion. Nigeria couldn’t win back the ball easily or keep the ball when they finally got it, while two of France’s best technical players both played on the left. With Sonia Bompastor at left back and Louisa Necib at left midfield, the game stayed in their left attacking quarter of the pitch. Despite Necib’s impressive play, France struggled to create clear cut chances. Surprisingly, Nigeria had the best chance of the first half on a counter-attack, but Desire Oparanozie badly missed a great opportunity when she was one-on-one with Les Bleues’ keeper Bérangère Sapowicz, who came off her line much too early.

To start the second half, France made a change, bringing on Eugénie Le Sommer for the ineffective veteran captain Sandrine Soubeyrand. Le Sommer occupied the right wing, pushing Camille Abily to her more natural central midfield position. The move paid off quickly, as Marie-Laure Delie scored the game’s only goal in the 56th minute on a cross by Le Sommer, notching her 22nd goal in 21 international appearances.

France walked away from Sinsheim with a win, but they will likely have to be much better than they were today if they want to challenge Germany or defeat Canada. However, those teams are yet to play, and we’ll know a lot more about the group hierarchy after they square off later.