So, here are my thoughts about the match, with only a bit of talking about the officiating... First half It was clear that the French tactics were to go down the outside and cross the ball in to use their height as an advantage. A combination of poor crossing, and poor touches, and a few poor set-up passes hurt France as they were threatening all half. It was not clear what that US tactics were at the outset, as the goal came early. Were they going to sit back and counter? Was that an adjustment due to the goal? What ever the purpose was, the first half was, for the most part, boring. The was a battle in the midfield, a series of poor touches by France, and a few long shots by the US. The only real difference was the one moment of poor defending which allowed the goal. That said, I think the yellow to Mbock Bathy so early took her off her game. Second half Much different, and far more entertaining. France clearly changed their tactics from going wide to pressing higher and trying to force errors from the US - and it worked. The problem was the poor execution from France, once again with a poor final ball or poor shooting. On the other hand, the US clearly intended to soak up the pressure and managed to succeed in part due to France's failures, but also in part to the excellent counter-attacking. Goal 2 was clinical, as was the called-back goal, on how a counter attack should be executed. And they were not the only breaks by the US. Yet, it seemed France knew what was coming and rather than worry, decided that the way to win was score more rather than concede less (which should have been obvious due to being down a goal). And probably could have happened if not for the poor finishing. In the end, there were two areas which I think the US won:1) being more clinical in their finishing; 2) keeping their heads/not being overwhelmed by the occasion/pressure. To me, this was a fairly even match, with two teams playing different styles neither really dominating the other.
Or be deliberately placed where it can block the ball. Making yourself wider is also potentially handling. However, this wasn’t that. Neither was the Japan PK.
Gotta be, I have never seen such a talented team choke in every major tournament like France. Like not one finals appearance. It's quite baffling honestly.
No Olympics either unfortunately , which means Euro 2021 is the next tourney of any note for them. Hope they recover well.
I am not exactly sure why either... sure they should’ve finished their chances 4 years ago against Germany and was the better team but... Renard’s approaching 30 and it would be really sad to see her go out without at least one international title
Correct. I should have added that. I’m amazed at the “professional” announcers who don’t even understand this law.
Haven't even made the semis of anything since 2012. Out in the quarters at Euro 2013, WWC 2015, OG 2016, Euro 2017, and now WWC 2019. 5 major tourneys in a row. And they're out of OG 2020 now. I hope they do well at Euro 2021, at least.
I thought Thiney had a very good game tonight. My French favourite since many years. Sad to see her swan song end on a sour note. But England fans must be more optimistic about beating the US after this game. I'm looking forward to that semi-final very much.
To be fair, I bet the French thought the same thing after watching USA/Spain. That said, that also suggests that the "USA luck" might be due to run out.
Outcoached her in what way? I would have switched Diani to the left a bit to see if she could have matched her up with O'Hara; I don't think that happened. What did Diacre not do, in your opinion?
I thought is was an entertaining match. That early goal really made it difficult for France, as Usa has the strength and patience to weather the storm. And as we have seen million times in football, if you don`t use the chances you get, a quick counter will end the game. Logically the Usa has beaten the strongest opponent and should win the World Cup again, but England may have what France is missing mentally and that is that real hunger to win.
No PK, according to all the refs on this forum. Definitively No handball. This play was not comparable to the PK call in the Japan-Netherlands match. Read through this thread (page 2 and on): https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/wwc-19-qf-fra-usa-monzul-ukr.2104743/
I disagree. Diani gifted the ball to Dunn numerous times with a poor first touch and wandered offside a lot when she could see the whole US defensive line. Whole French forward line was poor until Cascarino came on.
This was a travesty. France and USA should not have met until, at least, the semis. I feel for France, I really do, their style is a joy to watch for futbol fans.
This is the worst. They should have a UEFA playoff of the top 6-8 teams from the previous WWC for Olympic qualifications.
I don't think France did well enough with the attack, they simply go wide but not try to link the play in the middle and side to create gaps. Thiney did fine as the playmaker but they didn't maximize her skill. As for the US, Lavelle was pretty much shut down by the France, Horan should have come up earlier. O'Hara also had a bad game overall. I still think Morgan Brian should be given some time in the end instead of Lloyd.