ÖFB Women lose to France 3-0 in the UEFA Nations League

The Norwegians previously clearly beat Portugal 4-0 and are five points behind ÖFB (7 points). It is no longer possible to remove France (13) from first place. The goals of the team ranked fifth in the world rankings were scored by Amandine Henry (5), Eugenie Le Sommer (57), whose penalty kick was saved by Manuela Zinnsberger shortly before the end of the first half (44), and Marie Antoinette. Katoto (84).

In front of 26,453 spectators at a sold-out Roazhon Park, the second largest crowd for an ÖFB Women’s team after the 68,871 in their European Championship opener against England in July 2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, the French women had a perfect start. Henry headed in unchallenged from a free-kick cross to take the lead. ÖFB did not let the early setback throw them off course, they acted very bravely and found chances to equalize from the top flight.

First, Barbara Dunst tested French goalkeeper Pauline Peraud-Magnine with a strong finish (7th place), and soon after Elaine Campbell miserably missed her head (8th place), completely unchallenged. Austria continued to pull the trigger. Marie Hoppinger hit the crossbar from the middle of the left corner (17).

It was not until about half an hour later that the French were able to gradually take command again. Shortly before half-time, the fifth-placed player in the world rankings finally had a big chance to make it 2-0. The ball jumped into Sarah Buntigham’s hand inside the penalty area, but Zinsberger blocked it from a penalty kick.

After the start of the second half, Campbell missed the ball while running towards the goal (56), and in return the initial decision was taken. France’s all-time leading scorer, Le Sommer, converted the ball from the edge of the penalty area. At this point, ÖFB’s team selection gave little praise to the high effort put in in the first half. Head coach Erin Foreman made two substitutions after the hour mark and brought on Julia Hekelsberger-Völler, who was celebrating her return to the national team after a long spell out due to injury.

There were no great chances for either side until the final stage. In the 84th minute, substitute Katoto scored with a perfect header to make the final score 3-0. Virginia Kirchberger wasted the best opportunity to score an honorary goal (89th place).

Team president Irene Formann said Austria played a “very, very good match.” “In the end, we can only blame ourselves because we didn’t score a goal. Overall, it’s still a defeat, although in my opinion it was a bit high. Ultimately, we have to be a bit smarter,” Foreman stressed.

“I think you have to evaluate the result and the performance separately today. I can’t remember ever having possession of the ball like that against France. This can give us a boost as well,” said midfielder Laura Weirsinger. Zinnsberger was annoyed “because we scored two of the goals.” Three after dead balls.” The team can still go home “with their heads held high.”