A first final for the French who overcame their best German enemies

Kadidiatou Diani opened the scoring for the France team against the Germans. MAXPPP – Matthieu Mirville

The French women's team qualified on Friday, February 23, for the final of the Women's Nations League by eliminating their best German enemies (2-1) and continues its road towards a first major title during an official competition, a few months before the Olympics.

Full of confidence after a successful group stage (5 wins, 1 draw), Hervé Renard's players continued their flawless performance and validated their ticket for a first continental final, that of the first edition of the Women's League of Nations.

They will face Spain in Seville next Wednesday, world champion and winner of the other semi-final against the Netherlands (3-0).  In front of the 30,300 spectators at the Groupama stadium, including the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the president of the French Football Federation Philippe Diallo and the mayor of Lyon Grégory Doucet, the Bleues left almost nothing to the Germans.

Quelle demi-volée de Kadidiatou Diani pour les Bleues ! 😍🔥🇫🇷

La France ouvre le score face à l’Allemagne. 🤩

🎥 @francetvsport

pic.twitter.com/IY5yVoGDmU

— Footeuses (@foo_teuses) February 23, 2024

Except at the end of the match where they left more space and opportunities to their opponents. And when they conceded a penalty after a hand from Amandine Henry in the area, transformed by Giulia Gwinn (2-1, 82nd). eliminated in the semi-final of Euro 2022 (2-1), the French women managed to raise their level of play this time, especially in the first period, by emphasizing the right side.

Like the Lyonnaise Kadidiatou Diani, twirling on her right side, author of a complete match and a superb half-volley to open the score (41st). His 27th goal for the French team.

Karchaoui's first goal

Just like Eugénie Le Sommer, captain due to the package of Wendie Renard, who hit perfectly and created a multitude of chances. A little more discreet, PSG midfielder Grace Geyoro caused the penalty, transformed by Sakina Karchaoui (45+4) for her first goal in blue colors.

🇫🇷⚡️🇩🇪 | #FRAALL | 2️⃣-0️⃣

Sakina Karchaoui double la mise sur penalty ! Les Bleues ont parfaitement géré cette première période. Il restera 45 minutes pour finir le travail et valider le ticket pour la finale 🙌

▶️ Suivez le match en direct : https://t.co/7TegH6TSMq pic.twitter.com/E2hM5y7qwz

— francetvsport (@francetvsport) February 23, 2024

The hinge Griedge Mbock and Maëlle Lakrar were also present to manage the heading game of the German star and captain Alexandre Popp on the multiple corners. Unlike the semi-final of the& #39;Euro 2022 then author of a double, this time she remained silent even if she was very close to scoring after hitting the crossbar (72nd).

Apart from this action, she and her teammates were ultimately not very dangerous, while the French showed less in the second half. World champion in 2003 and 2007 and Olympic champion in 2016, the' Germany continues to experience complicated months after experiencing major disappointment this summer during the World Cup in Australia, eliminated in the group stages. A first in its history.

The third-place finishers will see Paris 2024

Like France, already qualified for the Olympics as host country and present in the final, the Germans still have a chance to see the Olympics this summer in Paris, if they manage to beat the Netherlands in the third place match. Because it will be the victorious nation in the third place match that will obtain the second ticket.

On the Blue side, all the lights have been green since the elimination in the quarter-final of the World Cup this summer against Australia, as Hervé Renard assured Thursday : "we have learned a lot, we have improved certain things, you need confidence in yourself, in your partners, when you have unshakeable confidence, there is no reason to fear anything either".

This was indeed the case on Friday, where the Blues controlled everything, without fearing anyone. A first final as a dress rehearsal before the Olympic Games this summer, their main objective.