Women’s World Cup: France come from behind to defeat Panama
A Kadidiatou Diani hat-trick has given France a win over Panama in their final group match at the Women’s World Cup.
The 6-3 victory has secured top spot in Group F, with Jamaica pulling off a superb goalless draw against Brazil to join them in the last 16.
Panama did take a shock early lead through Marta Cox and pulled two goals back in the last half-hour.
“I just think they were looking for the easy way out tonight,” France manager Herve Renard said.
“We were 5-1 up, with the game in the bag… you see this often in football. It was poor attitude from the girls for a few minutes.
“The devil is in the detail in games like this, and this shows the younger girls not to take anything for granted.
“We rested a lot of players, and it shows those who want to be part of the 11 need to pull their socks up, as it wasn’t good enough at times tonight.”
Cox opened the scoring early after just 69 seconds when her long-range free-kick curled into the top corner, but Maelle Lakrar got France’s equaliser when she headed in.
Diani netted twice before half time to put France in control. She chipped the ball in off the crossbar when she pounced on her own rebound, and converted a penalty after a Yomira Pinzon handball.
The result was put beyond doubt in first-half stoppage time when Lea Le Garrec’s deep cross went past everyone and bounced into the net.
Diani completed her hat-trick with another penalty after the break, when Wendy Natis handled in the area.
Panama hit back though and netted twice in the second half. Pinzon scored with the third penalty kick of the match before Lineth Cedeno headed in after a free-kick rebounded off the crossbar.
The scoring was complete in the 10th minute of stoppage time when Vicki Becho poked in to add France’s sixth goal of the night.
France will play the Group H runners-up in the last 16 which could see them facing European rivals Germany.
Cover Photo: Flag of France, Undated” by nathanh100 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 
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