Kadidiatou Diani netted a hat-trick, including two penalties, to lead France to a frenzied 6-3 victory over debutants Panama on Wednesday and into the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup.
Les Bleues needed only a draw in the Group F finale against their winless opponents. And after conceding a shock goal in the second minute, France dominated, with further goals from Maëlle Lakrar, Léa Le Garrec and Vicki Bècho, despite playing without captain Wendie Renard and all-time leading scorer Eugénie Le Sommer.
“It’s true that on a personal note, it was wonderful to be able to score my first goals in a World Cup,” said Diani. “I’m happy for myself on a personal note but above all for my team.”
Marta Cox made history by scoring Panama’s first Women’s World Cup goal – and the quickest at this tournament, after 67 seconds – with a stunning 35-yard free-kick that curled into the top corner. Cox burst into tears before being mobbed by teammates.
Trailing 5-1, Yomira Pinzón added a second for Las Canaleras – the Canal Girls – from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, to the delight of a largely neutral Sydney Football Stadium crowd of 40,498. Lineth Cedeño pulled another one back with a header in the 87th minute, given after a VAR review for a potential offside.
Despite the lopsided score, when the final whistle blew Panama erupted into joyous celebration, dancing on the pitch long after most fans had departed. “We gained a lot, we won a lot, 40,000 people that ended up cheering for our team, 40,000 people at the stadium that we were able to feel the energy, the vibes from the Panamanian football fans … they were filling the Panamanian heart,” said coach Ignacio Quintana.
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