The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group F draws to a close with Panama and France set to face each other Wednesday (August 2) at Sydney Football Stadium.
Panama began their campaign with a 0-4 thrashing from Brazil and followed that up with a 0-1 loss against Jamaica last week. The Reggae Girls saw Allyson Swaby score in the 56th minute to give them all three points.
France, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a drab 0-0 draw against Jamaica. The French bounced back with a 2-1 win over Brazil, thanks to goals from Eugenia Le Sommer (on the half-hour mark) and the other from Wendie Renard.
Match Preview
After not being able to break down Jamaica’s well-organized defense on Matchday 1, France entered their second Group F game against Brazil with a sense of apprehension. But, in the end, Eva Perisset and company produced the performance they needed to beat Brazil 2-1 and reignite their World Cup aspirations.
Les Bleues, managed by Herve Renard, will now take on Panama, who has already been eliminated from the tournament and is currently in last place in Group B. In order to qualify for the knockouts for the fourth time in a row, France will need only a draw against Panama. Even if they lose, they will still advance if Jamaica defeats Brazil.
As far as the Panamanians are concerned, the aim is simple: finish this first-ever Women’s World Cup adventure on a high note. Still on the hunt for their first goal in the tournament, Las Canaleras will give it their all to try and break further new ground at the global finals.
Panama vs France Head to Head and Facts and Figures
- Panama vs France will be meeting for the first time.
- France have scored one goal after 75 minutes in their last four World Cup matches.
- Panama have gone four games without a goal.
- France are aiming to qualify for the knockout stage for the fourth time in five World Cups.
- France has scored at least three goals in four of their last six games.
- Panama has conceded at least two goals in five out of their last eight matches.
- Herve Renard is the first manager to have a winning record at both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup
- Before Tuesday’s matches, only four countries had yet to score a goal in the tournament: Haiti, Vietnam, the Republic of Korea and Panama.
- France has previously faced four Concacaf nations at the Women’s World Cup: the United States twice, Canada once, Mexico once and Jamaica once. Panama will be the fifth in Sydney.
Team News
There is a feeling in France camp that the tide may have turned after their emphatic win over Brazil. Having been heavily weakened by the withdrawals of Cascarino, Katoto, Amandine Henry and Renard, France were in danger of losing their talismanic captain, Wendie Renard, last time out. The Lyon star, who picked up a knock in their opening game against Jamaica, was restored to the starting line-up and scored the winner in Brisbane. But Renard could be tempted to rest the powerful centre-back for the Panama game, with qualification so close.
Panama vs France Predictions
Panama will be looking to make a statement in their World Cup debut and will be eager to get a goal before the tournament draws to a close. With so many shocks at this stage of the tournament, the Canaleros have nothing to hang their hat on. However, we would expect France to cruise to a 4-0 victory over Panama.
Point Probability: Panama 0-4 France
Starting Lineup
Panama Women probable starting lineup:
Bailey; E. Cedeno, Natis, Pinzon, Baltrip-Reyes, Castillo; Cox, Gonzalez, Quintero, Tanner; L. Cedeno
France Women probable starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Lakrar, Renard, Karchoui; Toletti, Geyoro, Dali; Diani, Bacha, Le Sommer
Panama vs France Betting Tips
France to win, Under 5.5 combined goals, Panama Under 0.5 goals (-172)
Panama vs France Kick-off time
- 6 a.m. ET Wednesday
- 8 p.m. AEST
- 5 a.m. Panama city
- 12 a.m. Paris
Fighting for a spot in the knockout stages. 💪#FIFAWWC | #BeyondGreatness
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 2, 2023
Key Players To Watch
Lineth Cedeno (Panama)
Grace Geyoro (France)
How To Watch Panama vs France Match Live
- USA : FOX, Telemundo Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock (Spanish),Telemundo Deportes site/app
- UK : BBC Two BBC iPlayer, BBC website
- Australia : Optus Sport
- Canada : TSN2 TSN+, TSN site/app, RDS site/app
- India : DD Sports FanCode
- New Zealand : Sky Sport 1 NZ Prime TV, Sky Sport NOW
- Singapore : FIFA WWC CH01 StarHub TV+, meWATCH
- Hong Kong : Now TV Viu TV
- Malaysia : FIFA+