In a packed press room, Australian Ellie Carpenter couldn’t hold back her tears as she answered a question about the excitement the Matildas caused. A rare moment can reveal the extreme motivation of a squad accustomed to early progress and always exiting in the quarter-finals of the World Cup (2007, 2011, 2015), being eliminated in eight games.^e final of the last edition. But ready to surpass himself.

I am so proud to be part of this generation that is helping to change not only the face of women’s football, but also Australian sport.

“I’m so proud to be part of this generation that is helping to change not only the face of women’s football, but Australian sport. It’s moving. We want to inspire other generations.”, let go of the right side. A few seconds earlier, she recalled her debut in mixed teams and her first women’s matches in the stands, in front of 300 people.

Nowadays, several tens of thousands of spectators come to watch the selection. A success that the Olympique Lyonnais player in D1 Arkema does not feel like a burden. “I like the pressure. All these people cheering for us, it’s a privilege that Brisbane is going to make a lot of noise.”.

If the pressure of a World Cup at home isn’t Australian, would it be French? The local media do not fail to mention this atmosphere that is likely to shake the Blues this Saturday. Hervé Renard feeds on it and enjoys the sight, in the beautiful stadiums, “families, children, a softer atmosphere than in the men’s competitions. We are not going to play against a team, but against a nation. That is why we are motivated. We prefer to play in these conditions than a friendly match in front of a hundred people.”.

I lead one of the best teams in the world.

Hervé Renard, coach of the French team

The technician, who has been in charge of the French team for five months, exudes great calm. “You have to have confidence in yourself, be realistic. I lead one of the best teams in the world. Team spirit is the most important thing. Even someone who comes in within five minutes can score. You have to respect everyone and not be afraid. My players realize what they are capable of. There is confidence in the staff.”

The facts prove him right: his team has already scored twelve goals in this World Cup and the attacking success is contagious. Up front, Kadidiatou Diani has 4 goals and 3 assists, while Eugénie Le Sommer has scored three times. Kenza Dali, Wendie Renard and Vicki Becho also scored, while side players Sakina Karchaoui and Selma Bacha stood out with crosses and corners.

For “one of the most athletic teams of the tournament, with a lot of physical impact”Eugénie Le Sommer promises that French women will have that “of the respondent, and the ability to counter this aspect with things that their opponents do not have. (…) We often finished in the top 5, top 4 in competitions, but we didn’t win any titles. We want to write the history of women’s football.”. Blue, eliminated in the quarter-finals of the last two world championships by the United States (2019) and Germany (2015) and in 4^thisover ten years ago.

Everyone has good reasons to want to win, and everyone knows their opponent’s strengths. Confirmation with Swedish Matildas coach, Tony Gustavsson. “Les Bleues have great attacking threats, but what impresses me most is their aggressiveness in winning the ball back as soon as they lose it. This will be our biggest challenge. Our advantages are a very good defensive structure with three games without conceding goals. and being clinical in attack with players in very good form.”.

A coach who says he is ready to see his star Samantha Kerr start in training on Friday morning if the latter has recovered 100% from her calf injury. If this were the case, there is no doubt that this match would become even more legendary.

The Australia-France match will be broadcast live on NC la 1ère this Saturday, August 12 at 6 p.m.