Paris 2024 Olympic Games: the French women once again disappointing, exiting the football tournament

The penalty missed by Sakhina Karchaoui, a real turning point in this match. MAXPPP – Franck Dubray

The French team lost 1-0 to Brazil on Saturday in Nantes in the quarter-finals of the women's Olympic tournament where the semi-finals will pit Spain, the reigning world champion, against Brazil, and the United States against Germany.

The Blues will blame themselves for a long time. Between a missed penalty in the first half by Sakina Karchaoui, a post and a crossbar hit, they stop once again in the quarter-finals of a major competition.

#Paris2024 | ⚽🇫🇷 Sakina Karchaoui loupe son penalty !

La gardienne brésilienne 🇧🇷 stoppe la frappe de la joueuse parisienne, on en reste à 0-0.

📺 Le match est à suivre en direct ici : https://t.co/kOJfhQ7QZO pic.twitter.com/cu3GRedWGx

— francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 3, 2024

Hervé Renard, their coach, does not imitate his boys' counterpart Thierry Henry, and fails in the mission entrusted to him by Philippe Diallo, the president of the Federation, to reach at least the semi-finals of "their" Games.

Punished at the end of the match

Borrowed all game, Wendie Renard's partners ended up being punished, at the very end of the game by the Brazilians who were nevertheless within their reach, and a goal from Gabi Portilho (82nd) ​​who took advantage of a misunderstanding between Elisa De Almeida and Griedge Mbock.

The Seleçao, who will have their star Marta back, suspended for the match against Les Bleues, will meet the reigning world champion La Roja on Tuesday at Marseille.

#Paris2024 | ❌🇫🇷 Grosse désillusion pour l'équipe de France, battue par le Brésil 1-0.

Les Bleues peuvent avoir des regrets vu les occasions qu'elles se sont procurées. L'aventure s'arrête en quart de finale. pic.twitter.com/KKsEar3k3F

— francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 3, 2024

Trailed 2-0 by Colombia until the 79th minute in Lyon, Spain snatched its place in the last four of the Olympic tournament on penalties (2-2 a.p., 4-2 tab).

Jennifer Hermoso, who came on in the 65th minute in place of Alexia Putellas, reduced the score for the "Roja", before Irène Paredes, the former player of Paris SG, involved in the two Colombian goals, did not equalize at the end of added time (90th + 7) and sent the two teams to overtime. Exhausted, the Colombians were resisted the Spanish assaults, but ended up collapsing during the penalty shootout.

United States – Germany reunion

The other semi-final will pit the United States against Germany on Tuesday in Lyon. Impressive during the group stage, the Americans, without Megan Rapinoe (retired) and Alex Morgan (not called up), and now coached by England's Emma Hayes, narrowly defeated Japan (1-0 a.p.) at the Parc des Princes, to secure their place in the semi-final.

Nevertheless largely victorious against Zambia (3-0), Germany (4-1) and Australia (2-1) in the group stage, the bronze medallists in Tokyo were very cautious throughout regulation time before accelerating in extra time.

They finally found the gap in the Japanese defense thanks to their center forward Trinity Rodman (1-0, 105th + 2), before managing their lead until the end of extra time. In the semi-final in Lyon, they will meet Germany, whom they had soundly beaten 4-1 during the group stage.

The holders eliminated

The Germans, in search of redemption, after a missed World Cup during which they did not get out of the group stage, painfully eliminated the defending champion Canada. Both teams, unable to finish off the many opportunities that they created on both sides, were decided on penalties.

And in this exercise, it was Germany, notably thanks to its goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who converted her last attempt, who proved to be the most effective. For the Canadians, who came out of the group stage, despite being deducted six points for spying on the New Zealanders' training by drone, the step was too high.