No Bev Priestman for at least a year, minus six points and the hosts to face next, a lot was on the plates of the Canadian team heading into their second group stage fixture of Paris 2024. With cheers welcoming the Canadians as they took to the pitch, it was safe to say that the lively home crowd were behind the Canadians facing an uphill battle in Saint-Étienne, until the match begun.

Both teams made two changes from the opening games. France saw the exits of fullbacks Maëlle Lakrar and Sakina Karchaoui for Élisa de Almedia and Selma Bacha. Likewise, the reigning champions saw the removal of the goalscorer against New Zealand, Cloé Lacasse for Jordyn Huitema, as well as Adriana Leon making way for Simi Simi Awujo. Canada also moved to a five at the back formation, with three in midfield and two up front. France remained with a 4-1-2-3.

FRA: Peyraud-Magnin; de Almedia, Nka, Renard, Bacha, Toletti, Dali, Geyroro, Diani, Katoto, Cascarino

CAN: Sheridan; Carle, Buchanan, Gilles, Rose, Lawrence, Awujo, Fleming, Quin, Huitema, Prince

A chaotic and cagey first five minutes of play saw end to end football, with both Canada and France hoping to get the most of energy inside the Stade Geoffory-Guichard. The chaos continued into the 12th minute, as a corner came in from the left, with captain Wendie Renard recycling it back in, before Kaylan Sheridan messily punched it away. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, seeing the most of the attacking promise.

In a flurry of movements, Nichelle Prince drove down the wing, assisted by a signature Jessie Fleming pass on the outside. Her one-on-one with Pauline Peyruad-Magnin was saved just before the goal line, but there was an off-side in the build up. It was Canada’s best movement since the opening five minutes, but still came to nothing. In a similar vein, Huitema won Canada a free kick after being taken down in a dangerous area. Fleming ultimately sent the free-kick straight into Marie-Antoniette Katoto’s head, with the forward going down for a second but being fine to continue.

Canada’s one-touch approach proved difficult for France to handle, with the midfield building central before Wenard cut it out. But even in their most promising attacks, as they grew into the game, Canada’s inability to stay onside proved a bigger enemy. More so then the opening game, Quinn was used in midfield to unlock France to great effect, with their ability to worm around and push forward.

France’s best movements in the first half came down the right hand side, with Delphine Cascarino and de Almedia working well to overpower Gabrielle Carle out wide. Equally, some good movement and chances came from the left, with Kenza Dali and Salma Bacha working well to feed Kadidiatou Diani- but Canada’s solid defence didn’t see them pass. That was all until a classic Katoto move in the box worked around the defence enough that she could slot one home at Sheridan’s near corner in the 42nd minute of play.

A singular substitution at half time saw Adriana Leon make way for Prince in the attacking line. In a similar vein to subs made against New Zealand, it was questionable to take off the player who was receiving the most freedom when the side is a goal down. A fine save from Peyruad-Magnin denied Awujo in the box, after a flurry of blocked shots from the French defenders, including shots from Huitema and Ashley Lawrence being denied, too.

Captain Fleming found Canada their equaliser, as Lawrence’s shot was blocked by Peyruad-Magnin, but her save merely pushed the ball into the Portland Thorns’ player’s path. The tap in saw Canada equalise in the 58th minute in arrived as a goal that was deserved for the skipper, with her hard work being the engine of the team.

The goal also saw the end of the goalkeeper’s night, with Peyruad-Magnin gaining a head injury accidentally by her own teammate and having to be replaced by Constance Picaud. Likewise, Cascarino made way for Sakina Karchaoui. and for Canada, Quinn made way for Thursday’s scorer Evelyne Viens and Carle made way for Janine Beckie. And after an altercation with Viens on the wing, Renard was forced to retire from the match, making way for Maëlle Lakrar.

It was as though the goal made room for the confidence that Canada needed in order to form an attack on the hosts. A flurry of good chances and excellent moves followed the equaliser. The best came once again as Canada made the most of their wing, with Huitema driving into the box with the ball before her shot was blocked and a free kick was given for a foul on Bacha.

Tiredness started to creep into France’s game, with passes easily being cut out by Canada. Beckie cut a pass off in the middle of the park in the 83rd minute, before her shot was well-off. However, Canada still looked like the most likely to find the net again, as France continued to struggle. France’s best shot came a few moments after, with Katoto and Sandie Toletti being denied, but any goal would not have counted after the midfielder handled the ball before her shot was let off.

Extra time saw both sides fight for a winner. Canada had the most chances, through Viens and Julia Grosso, but were ultimately incredibly wasteful. France’s best chance came down the left wing, before Sheridan denied Katoto at close range with an exceptional block. Down the other end, Vanessa Gilles shot home Canada’s hopes of staying in France past the group stages. The defender’s goal was the ultimate example of right place, right time. Unmarked, she closed down on Picaud’s saved ball and slotted it home for her country.

After 13 minutes of extra time, Gilles’ winning goal was enough to give Canada hope of seeing life past the group stages. Katoto’s first half goal, and Fleming’s second joined Gilles in a game of high stakes and slightly lacklustre reward for the world number’s 2 and 8. France tie Colombia on points, but fall to second on goal difference.

Canada now return with a chance of seeing the quarter finals, if they can see a win against Colombia on Wednesday evening. Canada’s grit and determination saw them get the three points, and utilise the turmoil they have found themselves in to win against the tournament hosts.