Captain Wendie Renard’s header seven minutes from time earned France a dramatic 2-1 win over Brazil at Brisbane’s Lang Park on Saturday as Herve Renard’s side picked up their first win in Group F of the Women’s World Cup.

The defender met Selma Bacha’s corner with a firm downward header that bounced off the turf and beyond goalkeeper Leticia to give the French all three points after opening their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica last Sunday.

“We’re delighted with the win today (Saturday),” said Eugenie Le Sommer, who scored France’s opener in the first half. “We were up against a brick wall after the draw against Jamaica.

“For us the most important task was to take the three points today. Nothing was perfect, however, I think that the game plan was stuck to and the most important thing for us was to come away with the win.”

France move onto four points from their first two games, one point ahead of a Brazilian side who had kicked off the tournament with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Panama.

Le Sommer, France’s all-time leading scorer, gave her side the perfect start in the 17th minute, moments after seeing Leticia keep out her first effort at full stretch.

But here was little the Brazilian goalkeeper could do about Le Sommer’s opener as she steered her header in after Sakina Karchaoui’s arcing ball from deep on the left was headed back across goal by Kadidiatou Diani.

The Brazilians squandered the opportunity to level midway through the first half when Adriana shot wildly off target having set her sights on the top corner following Debinha’s layoff.

It took until the 58th minute for Pia Sundhage’s side to equalise, with Debinha pouncing to calmly slot beyond Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after Kerolin’s initial attempt was deflected into the striker’s path by Le Sommer.

But with seven minutes remaining France’s increased pressure paid off when Renard thumped her header into the Lang Park turf and the ball bounced beyond Leticia to earn her team a much-needed victory.

“I’m disappointed in our first half,” said Sundhage. “I think we were well prepared, everything up to then had been good but I could not make them play the way they played in the practice before or get connected.

“One of our strengths is to get connected and we could not. Second balls, loose balls the France players they were so much faster and quicker to get there.”

Italy routed

Sweden scored three goals in the first half to topple Italy to clinch their appearance in the Round-of-16 in a Group G match in Wellington.

Sweden got goals from Amanda Ilestedt in the 39th minute. Fridolina Rolfo made the score 2-0 in the 44th minute, and in the first minute of first-half stoppage, Stina Blackstenius added a goal.

Ilestedt scored again in the second half for her third goal of the tournament. Rebecka Blomqvist added the final score for the Swedes.

Italy stand in second place in Group G and meet South Africa on Wednesday to conclude group play.

Jamaica defeated Panama 1-0 for their first-ever win at the tournament.

Today’s matches

S. Korea vs Morocco (10am)

Norway vs Philippines (12.30pm)

Switzerland vs NZ (12.30pm)

Germany vs Colombia (3pm) All timings in IST Live on FanCode, DD Sports