France vs Brazil
Two wins are normally enough to get you over the line, so that’s what Brazil are aiming for when they face France at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday.
Brazil are leading Group F in the 2023 Women’s World Cup because they’re the only team in the group to have registered a victory after they demolished Panama 4-0 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, France were held to a goalless draw in their match against Jamaica, who put up a valiant effort even after they were reduced to 10 players late.
Neither team can afford to lose because it’s getting tight in Group F, so both France and Brazil are going to give it their all.
Talking Points
Borges stealing the show for Brazil
The future of Brazil looks bright given their wide array of talented youngsters, but it was Ary Borges who stood out. The 23-year-old winger gave her team the perfect start in the 2023 Women’s World Cup by scoring a hat-trick.
Borges’ first after 19 minutes was a header to beat Panama goalie Yenith Bailey, while her second was a tap-in after a rebound. Her third and final goal came after 70 minutes, with Bailey as her victim once again.
The Racing Louisville star actually could’ve completed her hat-trick earlier than 70 minutes, but she showed her unselfishness when she teed up Bia Zaneratto three minutes after the halftime break to finish a superb attack into the roof of the net.
Borges is one of the 11 players in the squad featuring at their first Women’s World Cup, and now she has put the whole world on notice.
Brazilian icon Marta, dubbed by many as the GOAT in women’s football, replaced Borges in the lineup after 75 minutes. The 37-year-old had a knee injury prior to the tournament, but she is expected to play a pivotal role in her sixth Women’s World Cup with Pia Sundhage as their head coach.
In a tournament that feels like a period of transition for As Canarinhas, if Borges keeps it up, Marta wouldn’t mind passing the torch to her.
France lacking the cutting edge
France would’ve been a few points away from securing their berth at the knockout stage if they converted at least one of their chances against Jamaica.
Jamaica were content to defend for the most part and get a point against France. Les Bleus had 73-per cent possession and 14 shots compared to the Reggae Girlz’s 27-per cent and six shots, but it all went to naught for Herve Renard’s side.
The absences of Selma Bacha, Delphine Cascarino, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto don’t help, but they have someone like Kadidiatou Diani, who will be their key to winning moving forward.
Diani was the brightest spot for France against Jamaica with her solid positional awareness. She was unlucky when a header of hers bounced off the post, but she should get her opportunities again against As Canarinhas.
History
Sunday marks the third time that France and Brazil square off at the Women’s World Cup. They drew 1-1 in their first encounter in 2003 before Les Bleus defeated As Canarinhas 2-1 in 2019 to reach the quarter-finals.
After eliminating Brazil in 2019, France were beaten by the United States with the exact same scoreline in the next round, and the Stars and Stripes eventually won it all.
France’s 0-0 draw against Jamaica last Sunday was their first such game on the first matchday of the Women’s World Cup. Les Bleus have always managed to win at least one game in their first two matchdays of an edition of the tournament.
Les Bleus have recorded a clean sheet in four of their last five group stage games at the Women’s World Cup. The last time they conceded goals in a group stage game was a 2-0 loss versus Colombia in 2015.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Women’s World Cup 2023 odds predict a tight contest between these two nations, who are in the Top 10 of the FIFA women’s rankings. Eighth-ranked Brazil were given the slight edge at 2.35, while fifth-seeded France are at 2.58, and a draw is at 3.05 in the 1X2 market.
We are siding with Brazil on this one because they’ve been the more clinical team in the final third, although France remain quite a dangerous side.
We should also see several entries in the Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights reel on Sunday, so betting options like Over 2.25 at 2.11 and Total Goal 2-3 at 1.84 are also on offer.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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