France stormed to an Opening Match win at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hitting four unanswered goals at a packed Parc des Princes against South Korea.
Eugenie Le Sommer eased any early nerves for the hosts with a fine opener before the towering Wendie Renard stole the show with a majestic headed double and Amandine Henry added a glorious fourth.
For Les Bleues’ fellow title contenders, a lofty standard has been set.
The hosts couldn’t have dreamt of a better start. Four goals scored, none conceded, a full stadium, a fantastic atmosphere, and three points to start ‘their’ tournament.
Amandine Henry was impeccable in the midfield and scored a beautiful goal while central defender Wendie Renard – the tallest player in this World Cup – scored two headers directly from corners.
Les Bleues can now prepare for their second match, in Nice against Norway, in the best possible frame of mind. Their first mission has been accomplished.
This wasn’t the start Korea Republic would have wanted, and the players looked nervous – even petrified at times – on a cold night in Paris. It proved to be a baptism of fire at this Women’s World Cup, with the gap in class between the sides simply too big to bridge.
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The scoreline will dent the visitors’ morale, but they will need to put this disappointment quickly behind them with some vital games still to come – and their World Cup hopes still alive.