Full Time in Sydney where it has finished 6-3 to France against Panama in the last game of Group F in this year’s World Cup. Despite a blistering start from Panama, France were able to claw back control and win the game comfortably.

Finishing the group stages as group winners, France will play either Colombia, Germany or Morocco in the Last 16. Panama, already knocked out before today’s match kicked off, were playing for pride, seeking a moment of magic to characterise their World Cup journey.

Inside one minute and eight seconds, Panama got just that. With just seconds on the clock, Panama’s Marta Cox was fouled well inside the French half, earning her side a free kick from roughly 35 yards. Cox would then step up to take the free kick, and struck the ball with such power and curve that it sailed into the top-left corner, leaving an outstretched Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in the France net hopeless. Cox’s wonder strike is Panama’s first ever goal at a World Cup, sparking an emotional reaction from Cox and her teammates following the goal.

For twenty minutes Panama found themselves leading France by a goal to nil, but France were putting them under serious pressure from the onset. In the 21^st minute, France would level the scoring through a header from Maelle Lakrar, although it took a big deflection off of Deysire Salazar before sailing into the roof of the net. Lakrar was picked out by a wonderful cross from Clara Mateo, and Lakrar’s header was superb. 

Just six minutes later, France would take the lead following an extended period of serious pressure. Kadidiatou Diani got on the end of a wonderful cross from Vicki Becho, the winger putting the ball into a dangerous area inside the six yard box. Diani’s initial effort was saved by Yenith Bailey in the Panama net, but Diani was able to scramble the ball into the back of the net, scooping it over the head of Bailey, who was sprawled out on the floor from her previous save. 

Before long, France would have their third, and Diani would have her second of the night. France were awarded a penalty following a handball from Panama’s Wendy Natis. The decision was rather harsh, given that her hand was right by the defender’s side, but VAR did not intervene with the decision. Diani stepped up to the spot and struck the penalty to the goalkeeper’s left, extending France’s advantage. 

France would score a fourth on the brink of half-time, this time through Lea La Garrec. Le Garrec picked up the ball from the left-hand side of the pitch and looked to produce a dangerous cross into the Panama penalty box. Le Garrec’s cross would evade everybody in the box and would bounce awkwardly over the head of Bailey in goal. Despite a strong start to the half, Panama headed in for the break three goals down. 

It wouldn’t take France long to add to Panama’s woes, and were awarded a penalty in the 50^thminute for another hand ball in the penalty area from defender Wendy Natis. Natis could not have any complaints this time, her hand straying far from her body. Diani completed her hat-trick, striking the ball hard and low to the goalkeeper’s right. It was an excellent performance from the 28-year-old, who earned herself a thirty-minute rest on the bench as we head into the knockout stages. 

Panama scored their second ever World Cup goal and reduced the deficit in the 64^th minute after they were awarded a penalty for a clumsy tackle on Riley Tanner from Elisa De Almeida on the edge of the box. There was no hesitation from the referee who pointed straight to the spot. Yomira Pinzon converted the penalty, but was forced to retake it after she kicked the ball before the whistle was blown. She opted for the same side on her retake and beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin down to her right. 

The magic continued for Panama, who got themselves a third goal in the 87th minute through substitute Lineth Cedeno. Following a dangerous delivery from Yomira Pinzon, Cedeno headed the ball onto the crossbar, and reacted quickly to head the rebound into the back of the net. After a long VAR check, the goal stood, much to the delight of the Panama fans in Sydney. 

A brilliant goal from Vicki Becho in the 99^th minute would put an end to Panama’s momentum and would kill off the game. It was a brilliant flick from Becho, who got a toe to Eve Perriset’s cross and steered the ball past Bailey.

Panama put on an excellent display this morning, scoring their first and second ever World Cup goals, but ultimately France were just too good. France came into this game as heavy favourites, but were shocked after Panama’s bright start and wonder goal from Marta Cox. France would then go on to dominate the game, as expected, and produced a confident performance to breeze into the knockout stages. 

Full Time in Sydney, Panama 3-6 France