Women's World Cup Round of 16, France 2 Brazil 1 (aet): Henry volleys hosts into last eight

An extra-time strike from Amandine Henry settled France's Women's World Cup clash with Brazil in the host's favour on Sunday.

French players celebrate at the end of the France 2019 Women's World Cup round of sixteen football match between France and Brazil, on June 23, 2019, at the Oceane stadium in Le Havre, north western France.

Captain Amandine Henry scored an extra-time winner as host France battled into the Women's World Cup quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Brazil.

Corinne Diacre's side made it four wins from four at its home tournament but needed 120 minutes after an end-to-end contest in front of a partisan crowd at the Stade Oceane on Sunday.

Goals were disallowed at either end in normal time while Valerie Gauvin and Thaisa struck with legal efforts, teeing up an additional period in which Henry became the hero.

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Another significant hurdle cleared, France will face Spain or defending champion United States in the last eight as it chases a first title.

France thought it led following the first real incident of note as Gauvin challenged advancing goalkeeper Barbara for Kadidiatou Diani's right-wing cross and the ball looped into the net.

But both players required treatment and then referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin assessed the incident in a VAR review, deeming Gauvin to have fouled Barbara and ruling the goal out.

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There was no denying Gauvin seven minutes into the second half, though, as she stretched to meet Diani's teasing low cutback and stabbed into the top-left corner of the net.

Cristiane – denied by Sarah Bouhaddi before the break – almost levelled immediately, towering a header against the crossbar, and Brazil did not have to wait long for the equaliser.

Thaisa drilled past Bouhaddi and Beaudoin referred to the VAR to see a call for offside earlier in the move overturned.

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Eugenie Le Sommer wastefully headed wide for France, while Tamires was flagged offside as she ran through and dispatched what would have been a late Brazil winner.

A vital last-ditch block from Griedge Mbock Bathy then kept Debinha from scoring after a lung-busting run moments before half-time in extra time.

And Henry struck decisively less than a minute after the restart, volleying Amel Majri's right-wing free-kick past Barbara at close range to give France a lead it could this time protect.