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Thanks for joining Manasi and I today. Join us again tomorrow for a fresh day of good football. Goodbye and goodnight from all of us at Sportstar!
What a game this was and what a way to end the night! France had its heart in its mouth several times tonight, especially after that Renard own goal. No damage done though, as it walks away with 3 points, comfortably seated on top of Group A. Until the next game, it's goodbye from us. Keep watching this space for the full match report, pictures, videos, news and everything you need to know from the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019.
France tops Group A with six points, but Norway remains second, only ahead of Nigeria on goal difference. Victory against South Korea in its final match will send it through to the knockout stages.
Brilliant recovery from France after that disastrous own goal. Wendie Renard will do well to leave the nightmare behind. All's well that end's well, indeed. Good day for the hosts, 3 points in the bag.
4 minutes added time. Can Norway make an inroad into this pumped up French defense?
85' Gauvin who scored the opening goal comes off the pitch and she has been replaced by Cascarino. The stadium stands to upload Valerie.
80' Despite scoring, Norway is yet to have a shot at goal in this second half. It hasn't shown as much quality in the final third during the second period and it's been quite comfortable for France at the back.
72' Penalty Goal for Eugénie Le Sommer. France is back in the lead. Le Sommer keeps her cool and converts from the penalty spot, slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net, just out of the reach of Hjelmseth. France lead 2-1!
54'
WHAT JUST HAPPENED THERE? Wendie Renard just gifted Norway its equaliser. Unlikely own goal from the French captain. She's holding her head the minute her feet cross the line. She knows what she's done. Gauvin's good work undone. Back to square one.
46' GOOOAAALLL! Relief for France. What a perfect way to start the second half! Gauvin fires the ball into the back of the net from the six yard box, after Majri gets forward down the left wing and whips a cross into the box. Gauvin gets to the ball ahead of her marker and powers it underneath the Norway keeper.
France has done well to keep the pressure up. It has made 5 attempts at the goal, has marginally dominated possession and passes and been more confident around the goalpost. This hasn't translated into a goal yet though. The second half has quite a bit at stake.
Diani has really taken Kristine Minde head on and as the clock ticked, we could see Minde struggling. Perhaps, it would serve the blues well to keep pushing her in the same direction? A few more on the right-hand side could be key to tiring Minde out.
43' Under two minutes to go for the halftime whistle. What can Norway and France do to break the deadlock? The players are getting impatient as are the French loyalists in the stands.
Four clean sheets in eight qualifying matches for Ingrid Hjelmseth. Move aside, Rahul Dravid. We have another Wall in town. (Kidding. Dravid for PM).
Diani is the kind of footballer I want to be right now, but the kind I DO NOT have the leg-hand-eye coordination for. Beautiful footwork from France. It's taken them some time to loosen up but the girls are getting there. Diani has concentration written all over her face. The crowds are ooh-ing and aah-ing with every attempt and miss.
16' It's a very open game at the moment, with both teams trying to play their game at a good pace and stretch their opponents on the counter with their pace.
14' CLOSE! Best chance of the game so far, with Engen getting on the end of a corner that was whipped towards the near post, she flicks it on and it has to be headed over the crossbar by a French defender. That was heading on target. France looking a little uncoordinated here.
This edition of the Women's World Cup has been revolutionary for the game itself, what with more information, exposure and higher quality of competition doing wonders to take the game out to the masses. When did you first begin following the WWC? Let us know in the comments section or find us on Twitter at @sportstarweb and share your passion for Women's Football with us.
We have a broken flag now. Referees getting a new flag. Imagine a game without the concept of offsides!
Is this a sign? [I just hope it's not cryptic indication of bad weather. We've had enough of those in France and here in India now.]
8' Set pieces galore from France, but Norway has bucked up. We're seeing some more possession for the visitors as the seconds go by.
4' Good pressure early on by France. It's keeping the ball well and is pushing forward in search of an early goal. Norway is having to soak up the pressure at the moment.
Norway is trying hard to keep one player off its own and everyone else's mind.
0' Kickoff! And we're underway!
Norway won the Women's World Cup back in 1995. Will this be a match that helps them towards another one? IU know, that's jumping the gun by a few 100 miles but hey, one can hope! Also, it's 12.30am. I am allowed ambition!
Both teams have made just one change each to their starting XI, for France Gauvin replaces Cascarino in attack. Norway also make an attacking change, with Utland dropping out of the side and she has been replaced by Saevik.
France and Norway have met once, with a 2-0 scoreline going the latter's way. The host will look to set that record straight.
Is this the game that decides the dominators of Group A? Who will walk away with 3 points tonight? Follow our live updates to find out.
Nice sure knows how to set the mood. Coming off that game between Germany and Spain, energy levels were low all through after a swift dip in momentum. The blue wave going through the Allianz Riviera now gives me hope for a lively next 90 minutes.
Welcome back folks! This is Lavanya here. I've got my turkey salad, the match unfolding right before me and 90 minutes of live updates to share with you as host France takes on Norway here at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. What a beautiful stadium this is and we are looking at it fill up as we speak. The home team can be relied on to bring in the crowds and they're doing just that. Who are you rooting for today?
Earlier today,
Nigeria handed South Korea its second defeat of the tournament, claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory. The match also saw the second own goal of the match. If you missed the game, my colleague Manasi has got you covered. Read all about the NIGERIA vs KOREA game,
as it happened.
The second match of the day saw Germany take on Spain in Valenciennes, France. Sara Dabritz's goal helped the two-time championto claim its three points, beating an aggressive but inaccurate Spanish side 1-0. Read all about the GERMANY v SPAIN game,
as it happened .
PREVIEW: FRA vs NOR
Both teams come into this game having won their respective tournament openers. France beat South Korea 4-0 and Norway edged past Nigeria 3-0, so the hosts just top the group on goal difference. This game seems set to be a much tighter affair.
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