France

1-1

England

Diguelman, 89

 

Lattaf (og), 64


World Cup Qualifier
Saturday 30 September 2006
Stade de la Route Lorient, Rennes FC

England made it to the promised land of the World Cup with a heart-stopping draw in Rennes that saw the reward for their incredible run and they leave France with China in their hands.

A 1-1 draw is the short version of the story, but there was so much to a game that lived up to the build up and saw some amazingly dramatic moments.

England took the lead after 64 minutes through an own goal by Hoda Lattaf who was the unfortunate French player who diverted a Rachel Yankey free kick into her own net.

France hit back and levelled the scores with a minute still to play, there were some tense moments as the Three Lions stood their ground and made it to China next year.

Both Kelly Smith and Karen Carney were quick to test the reflexes of Bouhaddi from distance with early shots as England enjoyed some promising posession in the opening 15 minutes.

As the game progressed in the first half it was clear that both sets of players fully realised the importance of the game and just what was at stake. With 27 minutes on the clock France carved out the first real opening of the match when Laetitia Tonazzi got the better of Rachel Unitt, but fortunately her shot found its way into the travelling England fans in the upper tier.

Anita Asante received a yellow card for a foul on Lataff three minutes later, but that was the only mark on an incredibly composed performance from the Arsenal defender who showed maturity beyond her years.

Marinette Pichon fired a warning shot from the edge of the area, after Bompastor had capitalised on a short clearance from Mary Philip. Just a minute later she was presented with another inviting opportunity after determined wing play from Tonazzi, but Rachel Brown was equal to the shot with a comfortable save.

Brown was tested again as the home side responded to an increasingly intimidating crowd, this time it was Lataff with a fierce half-volley that was destined for the bottom corner. England were starting to face sustained pressure with the ball failing to stick in attacking areas.

There was a worrying moment for the Three Lions when, just before the interval, both Unitt and Chapman went down needing treatment but fortunately they both returned to the fold to finish the half with the scores level. It was to be the end of Unitt's involvement, however, as she was replaced by Casey Stoney after the break.

Soubeyrand caused a few frayed nerve ten minutes into the second period when she narrowly failed to reach a deep free kick when completely unmarked in the six yard box. The game was starting to open up for both sides as France pushed forward seeking the opening goal.

First Bussaglia came close with a neat passing interchange with Pichon and Bompastor, then Brown pulled off an excellent save to deny Pichon at her near post.

The goal that gave England the lead came from the head of Lattaf as she turned a superbly flighted Rachel Yankey free kick into her own net, it was a thrilling moment for the players to score in front of the travelling fans and it was well deserved.

France came back at England with all guns blazing and in a furious two minutes almost provided an instant riposte. First Pichon hit a stinging drive, before Lattaf deflected a volley wide when it seemed destined for the net - Hope Powell's side were riding their luck.

Fara Williams could have put the result beyond doubt with a driven volley from 30 yards but Bouhaddi was equal to the strike.

A frantic finish was guaranteed when the French substitute Ludivine Diguelman fired an incredible, if fortunate, effort over Brown and into the net to level the scores.

Eni Aluko almost profitted from some woeful goalkeeping footwork in the final seconds to put the game to bed, but her effort struck the foot of the post and saved Bouhaddi's blushes.

The Three Lions held on though to make it back to their first World Cup since 1995, China here we come!

Teams

France: 1 Sarah Bouhaddi, 2 Sandrine Dusang, 3 Anne-Laure Casseleux (87 Ludivine Diguelman 13), 4 Laura Georges, 5 Laure Lepailleur, 6 Sandrine Soubeyrand, 7 Elise Bussaglia (75 Elodie Thomis 12), 8 Sonia Bompastor (c), 9 Marinette Pichon, 10 Hoda Lattaf, 11 Laetitia Tonazzi (83 Camille Abily 18)
Subs: 16 Berangere Sapowicz, 14 Louisa Necib, 15 Sabrina Viguier, 17 Laure Bouleau

England: 1 Rachel Brown, 2 Alex Scott, 3 Rachel Unitt (12 Casey Stoney 45), 4 Katie Chapman, 5 Anita Asante, 6 Mary Philip (c), 7 Karen Carney (16 Lindsay Johnson 90), 8 Fara Williams, 9 Eniola Aluko, 10 Kelly Smith, 11 Rachel Yankey (78 Sue Smith 15)

Subs: 13 Siobhan Chamberlain, 14 Jody Handley, 17 Vicky Exley, 18 Lianne Sanderson

Attendance: 19,215

Referee: Jenny Palmqvist
Assistant Referees: Susanne Barry, Susanne Zambrzycke
Fourth Official: Aneta Girard

Last Time Out, England 4-0 Holland:
Match Report - Click Here
Photo Gallery - Click Here

Last Meeting, England 0-0 France:
Match Report - Click Here
Video Highlights - Click Here

England Squad - click here
France Squad - click here