France tops qualifying group with victories over Sweden and Ireland
10/04/2024 17:05
After defeating Ireland 3-0 on the 6th of April, a 1-0 victory over Sweden yesterday evening ensured a flawless start to France's qualification campaign for the 2025 Euros.
Travelling to Sweden has in the past carried a risk for Les Bleues who had never defeated their hosts before on Swedish soil. However, a goal from captain Wendie Renard (33) means that France continues to top an intimidating group.
Just below them sits England, the current holders for the Euros, and the next team that Hervé Renard's squad will face in the next international break in May.
Despite the victory for France, it was a tense night for the team and one that saw both the coach and Vicki Becho (20) sent off late into the game with the visitors fiercely defending the lead, and the tensions carried on into the post-match interviews.
‘France have never won in Sweden. It’s the first time. It’s a positive thing’ – Hervé Renard
Hervé Renard was not impressed by the accusations from the Swedish journalists that he had continued to give out instructions to his team when he was sent to the stands. "There is a fourth official, right? If she had said something to me, I would have stayed quiet. It's not because I was in the stands and continued to coach that we scored. It's thanks to the quality of my team," Renard responded.
The coach continued to praise his team, "France have never won in Sweden. It's the first time. It's a positive thing. We have six points after two matches in a very difficult group… We kept a clean sheet again. You're going to tell me that we scored again from a set piece, but I'm going to tell you that I would still like to win 1-0 from as et piece, that's enough. Congratulations to my players."
