Selma Bacha, France defender: "As players on the pitch, we never had any doubts. The players that came on certainly did not weaken the side, quite the contrary." They stayed true to our game plan all the players performed their roles and we saw how well that worked. I like the fact that the players gave it their all and kept plugging away. Reactionīacha on 'cloud nine' as France make last fourĬorinne Diacre, France coach: "I'm very proud because this team aimed at a big target, this team gives absolutely everything. All in all, a brave and committed showing, but one that lacked the guile to break open the Group D winners' back line. But one misjudgement – Janssen's tackle – was enough to undo them. After half-time the 2017 champions showed greater steel and determination, and kept Les Bleues at a safer distance. The irony is that the French scored when they weren't in the ascendancy, yet failed to find the net when – particularly in the first half – they were clearly superior. Anything is possible with this French team. Now Les Bleues are one game from a first major final – and we can't wait to see what happens next.
In the end, though, it was defender Périsset who struck the goal that made history. She tried, took risks and turned up the pressure on the Netherlands. Cascarino and Diani shone with their speed and creativity, and the entrance of Bacha, a real livewire, put more pressure on the Dutch back line. "Changed the intensity of France's attack with roaming movement inside, wide combinations and defensive tenacity." UEFA Technical Observer panel Vanessa Tomaszewski, France reporterĪ hugely intense game, in which France created so many chances. Visa Player of the Match: Selma Bacha (France)įrance vs Netherlands Player of the Match: Selma Bacha In the end, 1-0 was enough for Les Bleues to end their run of three straight EURO quarter-final exits and set up a last-four showdown with Germany on Wednesday. Sakina Karchaoui blocked a Pelova strike as the Netherlands pushed for an equaliser, but their opponents still looked dangerous too, with Ouleymata Sarr firing just past the post. And the decisive moment came shortly after when Dominique Janssen fouled Diani in the box, a VAR check leading to a penalty which Périsset squeezed past Van Domselaar's dive. Time for the Oranje to regroup, though it was France who again threatened first in extra time, Bacha pouncing on a loose Miedema pass, advancing and shooting over. Stefanie van der Gragt keeps out Delphine Cascarino's shot AFP via Getty ImagesĪs the minutes ticked away, Geyoro headed wide from a cross by Cascarino, who just before the end of normal time was herself denied by Van Domselaar, the busy Dutch goalkeeper then saving another Renard header from a corner. Bacha soon had a chance, tipped over by Van Domselaar, who then dived to stop Wendie Renard's header from the resulting corner. Miedema volleyed a Sherida Spitse corner over the crossbar and Corinne Diacre responded by withdrawing Malard, sending on left-sided Selma Bacha and moving Diani more central. Jill Roord was sent on after the break to try and enliven the Dutch attack, while Daniëlle van de Donk was pushed forward. Even so, the Netherlands somehow made it to half-time level, with Stefanie van der Gragt largely to thank after she blocked a Malard attempt on the line and got in the way of a Grace Geyoro effort soon after. Les Bleues had scored inside ten minutes during all three of their group games in Rotherham, and although they didn't manage that on this occasion, Kadidiatou Diani was an early menace down the right, testing Daphne van Domselaar more than once.įrance were on top and Sandie Toletti blazed a shot only narrowly over, while Delphine Cascarino went even closer, her effort curling onto the post with Van Domselaar stationary.Īs against Sweden, Miedema began dropping deep to try to spark her team, but this time the tactic was not yielding results. For France, meanwhile, Melvine Malard continued in attack after starting against Iceland following Marie-Antoinette Katoto's tournament-ending injury in the previous match. Having had Lieke Martens ruled out of the finals, there was a pre-match boost for the Netherlands with Vivianne Miedema back from illness, flanked by Lineth Beerensteyn and Victoria Pelova. The penalty just beats Daphne van Domselaar Getty Images
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