Gabi Portillo scored an 82nd-minute winner as Brazil beat France 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of Paris 2024 and end the hosts’ hopes. The South Americans scored their run-of-the-mill game-winner after a French defensive error, and Les Bleus could not muster an equalizer despite 16 minutes of stoppage time. Brazil will play Spain in the final.
Man of the Match – Delfin Cascarino (France)
Only a goal was missing in Cascarina’s game.
The forward was all over the pitch and involved in most of France’s attacking play, creating chances and taking them herself.
In what was by all accounts but the result a superior performance by France, Cascarino was key throughout.
Player ratings
France: Picaud 6, De Almeida 5, Mbock 7, Renard 6, Bacha 8, Toleti 5, Karchaoui 7, Geioro 6, D. Cascarino 9, Baltimore 6, Katoto 7
DATA: Dali 5, Dayani 5, Le Somer 7
Brazil: Lorena 8, Yasmim 6, Rafaelle 9, Tarciane 5, Thais 4, Adriana 5, Ana Vitoria 5, Duda Sampaio 4, Jennifer 5, Gabi Portillo 8, Gabi Nunes 5
DATA: Tamires 5, Carolyn 5, Ludmila 4, Angelina 4, Loren 4
Highlights of the match
15′ FRANCE 0-0 BRAZIL – A free kick by Cascarino who rushes towards the goal, but is brought down by Tarciane in the box. The referee points to the spot. Karchaoui steps forward, but there is a long delay for unclear reasons. In the end, there is a VAR check for possible offside and the penalty is confirmed. Almost five minutes later, Karchaoui finally takes the penalty, shooting into the bottom left corner and Lorena is on hand to make the save.
33′ FRANCE 0-0 BRAZIL – Brazil goes to the break, cheaply given by France, and takes a corner. Yasmim gives and picks Anna Vitoria, but she can’t get enough head control. Best chance for Brazil so far.
39′ FRANCE 0-0 BRAZIL – Corner for France, brilliantly delivered by Bach, and Mbock raises for a header. Desperately unhappy, he rattles the crossbar.
58′ FRANCE 0-0 BRAZIL – A lovely back-heel cross from Cascarino takes it to the back post where it finds Katoto. However, Katoto can’t direct his header and sends it over the bar – what a chance for France!
63′ FRANCE 0-0 BRAZIL – Clumsy work from Renard allows Gabi Portillo to pass Caroline, who turns back to Gabi Portillo who frees her for a shot at goal. She pulls the shot back, looking for a far corner, but puts it just wide.
82′ GOAL! FRANCE 0-1 BRAZIL – Completely against the grain of the game, Brazil leads. A mistake by the France full-back, who failed to deal with Adriana’s shot to nothing, allows Gabi Portillo to pick up the ball, charge and slot it past Pico with a beautiful finish.