Four France players who can break Australian hearts at the World Cup | Jack Snape | OneFootball

The Matildas’ 1-0 friendly victory over France last month represented a promising precursor to the hosts’ World Cup ambitions. But since Mary Fowler slipped home that second-half winner in Melbourne, the home side have been on a journey. Sam Kerr’s injury saga, Australia’s dour early victory over Ireland, defensive frailties against Nigeria. Then the Matildas’ revival, the emphatic victory over Canada and professional triumph over Denmark. Now a quarter-final against France in Brisbane.

And in finding the way to the summit, sometimes you need to retrace your steps. Not unlike the Matildas, the French started the tournament slowly. A 0-0 draw against Jamaica before a narrow 2-1 victory over Brazil. But since then, the class of the world No 5-ranked side has been on full display. A 6-3 thumping of Panama – without rested veterans Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer – then a 4-0 trouncing of Morocco in the round of 16 has highlighted the prowess of the French team and these individuals.

Wendie Renard

If Australian fans are salivating at the return of the aerial threat of striker Sam Kerr, the French central defender represents a formidable napkin. Standing 1.87 metres, Renard has been the tallest player at four World Cups and the France captain towers over every other outfielder at the current tournament by at least 5cm.

The 33-year-old is much more than just a physical defensive presence. The Lyon mainstay is a gifted distributor and potent attacking threat. Both the second and third goals against Morocco began with her pinpoint distribution from the back. And for the fourth – Eugenie Le Sommer’s back post header – it was Renard who had made a foray forward, panicking the key defender and drawing her away. At the 2019 World Cup, Renard scored against the USA in the quarter-finals in Paris from a headed free-kick, though the hosts lost the match 2-1.

The French players will rely on their captain for guidance. She was the spark for the player revolt in February that led to the axing of former coach Corinne Diacre. When announcing her return, Renard declared: “I am a competitor at heart. I love this jersey and I want to do everything to win a title with it.”

Australia’s forwards will be responsible for limiting Renard’s forward thrusts. That dynamic could limit a recovering Kerr from playing a larger role, given she will be short of full fitness.

Kadidiatou Diani

Diani, 28, is at the peak of her powers, having been named top scorer in the 22-game French league with 17 goals and earning the player of the year award. Her unmistakable braids have been coloured blue for the tournament, to match Les Bleues’ shirts. And her form has been red-hot, with four goals at the tournament so far, including a hat-trick in the 6-3 win over Panama.

The No 11 is typically the focal point for the French attack as a central striker, but she is much more than a battering ram. An ability to position herself off the shoulders of central defenders and time her runs into channels allows her to be effective even against teams who sit back. Opponents’ fear of her slipping in behind allows her to pivot and play with her back to goal. But she has also been deployed as a winger, and her versatility will be a test for Australia’s central defensive pairing of Alanna Kennedy and Clare Hunt.

Though she scored a hat-trick against Panama, it was against Morocco in the round of 16 that Diani was at her most devastating. She buried the opener then created two more goals in the opening blitz that had all but sealed the tie inside the first 23 minutes.

A week ago, Diani signed a contract with Lyon in a high-profile move after six years with rivals Paris St Germain.

Vicki Bècho

Vicki Bècho has yet to lock down a starting place in the Lyon team in the French league, but this 19-year-old offers an attacking threat unique in the France squad. At club level, she played a role in all but one game as Lyon romped to the French title last season. But she has developed a reputation for an impact substitute, starting in just a third of Lyon’s matches.

The skilful winger only debuted for France in July’s warm-up friendly against Australia, but she has impressed for her nation’s junior sides. In 2019, she was the first 15-year-old to score at the Under-19 European Championships since Norwegian Ada Hegerberg in 2011.

Her progress stalled at junior club Paris St Germain, and she moved to Lyon three years ago. Becho explained the move last year: “I chose to leave PSG to join Lyon because I know myself, I like to rest on my laurels and by signing at PSG I knew that I would have playing time. But in Lyon with a much bigger squad, it would be more complicated to impose myself. I have chosen a challenge that will shape me in the future.”

She has played just 139 minutes at the tournament so far, but she has created six chances – two more than any other French player – and she set up the final goal for Eugénie Le Sommer against Morocco.

Eugénie Le Sommer

France’s all-time leading goalscorer is coming to the end of her career. But she retains her guile, and an ability to act as a connector in France’s attack either centrally or on a wing. These qualities prompted coach Hervé Renard to recall the 34-year-old in April after almost two years away from the squad.

Le Sommer’s two goals against Morocco took her career tally to 92. But on Saturday against Australia she will offer more than just a cool head in the box. Matildas’ defensive-minded central midfielders Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross have proven themselves throughout the tournament. Le Sommer’s experience, and her ability to find space between defenders, poses a new test for Australia’s back six.

Coach Renard described Le Sommer’s value to his side succinctly when she returned in April. “With her quality, she has to be there in the box. She’s an endearing, intelligent girl. She knows what her role is.”

• This article was amended on 11 August 2023. An earlier version incorrectly said Kadidiatou Diani has dreadlocks rather than braids.

Header image: [Photograph: Chris Putnam/Shutterstock]