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It's been one long day for us at the newsroom and the later part of the day promises to be as, if not more, entertaining. Spain takes on USA and Sweden takes on Canada in their knockout clashes. This calls for some rest and recuperation. We will be live-blogging these games so make sure to join Manasi and me later in the day. Until then, goodbye and goodnight.
Brazil's journey in this tournament comes to an end. This is perhaps the last time we see the likes of Formiga in Brazilian silks in a world cup again. Good fight, but in the end, it just wasn't enough.
France will now face either Spain or USA in the quarter-finals, who play each other later today. My biggest takeaway from this game - the crowds! LOVE THE FRENCH ENERGY, let's hope to keep seeing this as the tournament heads into the business end.
Oh what a night it has been. France becomes the first European nation to make it through the first round of knockouts in the World Cup.
France secures its place in the quarter-finals of the World Cupafter a 2-1 victory over Brazil after extra-time. Gauvin put Franceahead early on in the second half, but Thaisa equalised shortlyafter following a VAR check as the goal was originally ruled outfor offside, but the video replays showed that the decision wasincorrect. It went to extra-time and both teams had chances to winthe game, with Debinha seeing her shot cleared off the line byMbock Bathy. Henry was then the hero for France, poking the ballhome from close range to send her side into the next round of thecompetition.
120' FULL-TIME: FRANCE 2-1 BRAZIL (AFTER EXTRA-TIME)
2 minutes separate France and the quarterfinals.
Has Brazil given up? Under a minute left and it's all France now, on the field, in the stands, in the records books- everywhere.
117'
There are a few tired players out there now, suffering withcramp as we enter the final few minutes of extra time.
116' Thineythe latest French player to go for goal, but she drags the ballwell wide of the Brazil goal.
Since making her debut in the Women's World Cup at the start of the 2015 tournament, only Le Sommer (5) has scored more goals in the competition for France than Henry (3)
Le Havre is on its feet. The blue flags are out. The chants are louder than ever. And the thunderclaps have returned.
This is the first time France has scored in the extra time in a World Cup Finals game. Firsts.
108'
Can Brazil respond quickly? France will surely just try andsee the game out now, with just over 10 minutes left to play.
106'
Majri delivered a superb ball into the box, straight into the pathof Henry who had managed to beat the offside trap and get ahead ofMonica.
106' GOOOAAALLL!
France leads once again, Henry with thegoal to make it 2-1! The France captain gets ahead of Monica asMajri whips the ball into the penalty area from a set piece. Themidfielder pokes the ball home from close range, with Barbarahaving no chance of saving that!
We're into the second half of extra time.
105'+2'HALF-TIME IN EXTRA-TIME: FRANCE 1-1 BRAZIL
OH WHAT A SAVE!
What a clearance! Debinha breaks the offside trap and gets into the box and nearly gets it past the kepper, but Mbock Bathy Nka comes in the way. Timely, for and from France.
103'
It's all France now, with Brazil sitting deep inside its own half with everyone back behind the ball trying to soak up the pressure.
I sense penalties coming. Do you?
In case you missed it, here is that brilliant goal and celebration from Valerie Gauvin.
98'
Another stoppage in play now as Bouhaddi is down in her box clutching her her knee after a collision with Geyse.
One expects goals during extra time but we have the opposite here. We've got ourselves an injury. Rozeira has pulled a hamstring it seems. Doesn't look good for her. Cristiane is really struggling with an injury now, she sat down in the middle of the pitch and it doesn't look like she is going to be able to continue. The medical team are on the pitch, but she's going to have to limp off.
90'+5'END OF 90 MINUTES: FRANCE 1-1 BRAZIL
90'+4' CHANCE!
Zaneratto just can't sort out her feet quickly enough after she is played through by Debinha and the Brazil striker efforts flies high over the crossbar.
This is incredibly funny now. Will this go to extra time? My sleepy colleagues are not on board. I am stoked!
87' GOAL RULED OUT! Tamires has the ball in the back of the net and she thinks she won it for Brazil after finding herself in acres of space on the left and powering the ball past Bouhaddi. However, it is ruled out for offside. Tamires was well offside as the ball was played through to her.
The pace of the game seems to have dropped a little. Can either score and break the deadlock?
79' Free-kick to France in a good position after Le Sommer is brought down by Leticia Santos deep down the left wing. Good opportunity to get the ball into the penalty area.
Formiga has been substituted. Could this be the last time she plays in a World Cup?
Brazil is keeping the ball in its own half at the moment, just trying to find a way through the resilient France defence. The goal it has conceded tonight is just its second of the tournament and the first was a Renard own goal.
70' Formiga is booked after she trips Diani, who turns the Brazil midfielder and tries to break into the box.
If any of you out there are joining us from France, I don't mean to rub you the wrong way, but just thrilling a game of football would it be if Brazil was to manage an upset today?
Surprising how we were talking about the fitness of the Brazilian players earlier and the concerns surrounding that but now, it's the Frenchwomen who are looking exhausted.
Oh what a game this has turned out to be. The French crowd is quiet.
63' GOOOAAALLL!
Brazil has levelled, it's 1-1! Thaisa fires the ball into the back of the net after Debinha's cross is blocked by Renard and it falls perfectly to Thaisa, who slides the ball into the bottom corner. It's initially ruled out for offside by the officials, but after a VAR check it shows that Debinha was onside when she received the ball and therefore the decision is reversed.
FACT ATTACK:
France has never lost a Women’s World Cup match when it has scored the first goal, winning nine of the previous 10 such matches (D1), whilst Brazil has never won a game in the competition when it has conceded first (P9 W0 D2 L7).
France has scored a second half goal for the fourth time in this tournament.
55' OFF THE BAR!
Cristiane powers the ball towards goal after Marta's set piece delivery into the box, but her header just has too much height on it and it strikes the top of the crossbar. So close!
This time the goal will count and it's Gauvin who has the ball in the back of the net again. It's wonderful play by Diani down the right wing, she drives into the box, beating her marker and pulls the ball back to Gauvin, who pounces onto it, poking the ball into the bottom corner.
52' GOOOAAALLL!
France breaks the deadlock, it's 1-0! What a way to hit back at the folks in the VAR room! As Manasi just said, great finish, even greater celebration!
Gauvin's grooving!
We are not over the VAR fiasco from the first half, clearly. Here is some help.
The thunderclaps refuse to stop. The stadium is trying its best to pump up its players.
My colleague Samar just called the French ensemble comfortable nightwear. I am conflicted. Is that a compliment or a snide comment? Direct the trolls there.
Why has France turned up in white today? Can someone tell me? What was wrong with the beautiful blue kit?
I don't know about you. But so far at least, this has been the image for me.
6 extra minutes thanks to that VAR drama and we still do not have a goal on either side of that scoreline.
44' SAVE! Bouhaddi with a strong save to deny Cristiane at the near post after a good run by Debinha, she then lays it off to her team-mate who races through on goal. Cristiane tries to cross the ball to Ludmila in the six yard box, but it's too close to Bouhaddi, who has to make a fine save with her feet to stop it going into the back of the net.
Oh. 30 minutes up already. There's been so much drama here in the first half itself, my poor poor heart. It's still goalless between France and Brazil, with the only real chance of the game so far being the disallowed Gauvin goal. Neither keeper has had a save to make yet.
35' Poor tackle! Debinha is fouled by Renard after a late challenge by the France centre-back, she catches the leg of the Brazil striker and rips her sock. The Brazil players are furious with that challenge. The stadium is singing an entirely different song though.
29' That disallowed goal has certainly kicked France into life now,the pace of the game has picked up, but we are still lackingquality on the ball.
A cross comes into the box from the right wing by Diani and Gauvingoes up for the header as Barbara rushes out, the French strikergets to the ball first but is clattered by the Brazil keeper in theprocess. The ball then flies towards the bottom corner and crossesthe line. The goal is awarded, but after looking at the videoreplay, the referee has ruled it out for a foul on the keeper.
OH NO. GOAL DISALLOWED. GAUVIN'S FACE SAYS IT ALL. That goal has been disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. Adding insult to literal injury this. (Don't worry. Gauvin's fine. I was just itching to use that phrase for quite a while now).
23' GOAAAAAAAL.
Valeri Gavin is knocked down while netting on for Brazil. She has done well to prove herself but this is going to take some time.
OH MY GOD. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? There's been a collision and it oooks painful.
9'
Decent effort! Marta shows great skill to beat two Franceplayers on the edge of the box and then fire a shot towards goal,but she drags the ball wide of the goal.
8'
The game is very openin these early stages of the game, it's end-to-end but both teamsare lacking a good final ball when they get into an attackingposition.
3' Brazil is enjoying the early possession here, but France is pressing them high up the pitch so it's all in the middle of the pitch.
The applause in Le Havre almost feels like the pitter-patter of rain. Beautiful similarity.
I was struggling to keep my eyes open for over an hour. I did not know all I needed for persistent goosebumps and a sleepless head was paying good attention to that French version of the thunderclap.
Marta's lip colour is to die for. Right now, like or hate Brazil, but it's hard not to root for the all-time top goalscorer in the Womens' World Cup.
It feels like a Lyon practice match out here in Le Havre.
1' and we're underway.
I am coming into this blog after getting barely 2 hours of sleep over the last two days but I can see that French coach Corinne Diacrejust always looks worse. It's conduct to do the self pity circus with sights like this. Corrine has quite obviously worked her gut off to get her girls to where they are today. Will the girls go all the way? Will they clear this knockout hurdle?
We have a Canadian referee today. Will she be extra nice? (Stereotype, yes.) But we've seen some strong and controversial referee decisions and I am just anxious about what VAR drama awaits us in this game.
I was just talking about how this tournament needs an upset, like the cricket world cup is managing to get an abundant supply of. It would be fun for those who watch the game without picking a side. I, for one, think an upset would really spice up this tournament but I am hoping for one tomorrow more than today.
Now that you've seen the lineups, you know Marta and Formiga are playing. Relief that comes as, to any Selecao supporter out there! As for me, I am stuck between two teams I really like. I have already eaten up my good luck food too (Pardon the superstition) so I doubt I can contribute with my abilities. I will however be bringing you updates as they happen from the game so make sure you stay with me.
If you're keeping up with the World Cup, you will know that we had another game earlier today. Although a little one-sided, there was enough drama to keep you going for 90 minutes.
Read all about here.
The countries will be facing off for the second time in the history of the tournament. Their last match in the group stage of the 2003 World Cup ended in a stalemate (1-1).
France is unbeaten in six World Cup games (five wins and a draw, which the French ultimately lost on penalties to Germany in the 2015 quarterfinals).
The A Seleção have not tasted victory in their last three knockout stage matches at the Women's World Cup, having drawn one and lost two, failing to score in the latter two. Brazil's last victory in the knockouts came when it beat USA 4-0 in the 2007 semifinal.
The news of Marta and Formiga possibly not starting could be a possible setback to Brazil's preparations. Formiga, 41, has a troublesome ankle while Marta's muscle issues seem to be catching up with her.
The group stages are finally done! I want to do a celebratory jig. But before that, lets look at what's in store for us in the game today.
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