The penultimate game of the day was France’s meeting with Canada at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, which resulted in Canada’s second win of the campaign with a 1-2 win over the hosts.

France completely dominated the first half before Canada stepped up their attacking press and responded with an equaliser, giving the side more confidence to push for the win. Within extra time, Canda was able to further build their attacking pressure by keeping the play further up in their half and eventually finding another goal. Goals from captain Jessie Fleming and Vanessa Giles secured the reigning champions three points.

Here are four things we learnt from this Group A matchup.

France start with a high press again

Following their 3-2 victory over Colombia, France started this game off similarly; within the first ten minutes, the hosts had 52% of the possession and a shot on target as they held a high attacking press to test the Canadian defence early on.

With chances coming from Sandie Toletti, Wendie Renard and Élisa de Almeida in quick succession Kailen Sheridan’s defense was tested by France’s possession play. This high press continued throughout the first half where France dominated play and left Canada with three chances throughout the 45.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto a standout performer

This evening’s scoring was once again opened by France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto. She continued where she left off against Colombia, showing her quick and agile play to help her side dominate possession.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored just before halftime to give her side the lead. After impressing in the French top flight for a number of years, Katoto is now able to show her quality internationally.

Against Canada, Katoto used France’s high press to work her way past three Canadian defenders and convert a shot from the centre of the box that reached the bottom left corner of Sheridan’s goal.

Due to injury, Katoto missed out on last summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand—where her side reached the quarter-finals but were knocked out by the Matildas in a penalty shootout—but she seems to be making up for lost time, scoring three goals in the group stage. She is definitely showing what Les Bleues missed last year.

Canada’s attack- slow to get started but finished off strong

Whilst they struggled to gain attacking chances in the first half, Canada was quick to put some pressure on France with an early second-half chance from Ashley Lawrence, whose left-footed shot was blocked by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. However, following a rebounded block from the keeper, Canda’s captain, Jessie Fleming, was able to level the scoring with a right-footed shot from close range, giving her side a boost in confidence when attacking within Les Bleues’ half.

Following both Marie-Antoinette Katoto having a shot on target down the other end, Canada was able to act on the momentum in their attacking play as well as a rebounded save from substitute keeper Constance Picaud- wic came off a shot from Jordyn Huitema- with Vanessa Giles slotting a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner, giving her side the lead.

Canada’s players showed their determination against Les Bleues to come out of this evening with three points. They now sit in third place with zero points—following the six-point deduction—and must win on Wednesday against Colombia if they want a guaranteed space in the quarter-finals.

Canada’s back-to-back gold chances increasing

Following the earlier drone incident, FIFA has fined the reigning gold medalists, given their manager Bev Priestman and two assistants a year-long ban, and more importantly in what will impact their chance of a medal this summer- the side have received a six-point deduction.

The impact of the reprimands given to the defending champions places the possibility of qualification firmly within the grasp of their opposition. However, with a game still to play against Colombia and a win tonight, the side may be able to finish third overall in the group, with a possible quarter-final place up for grabs, but the chances are still relatively slim as they will face a low point tally compared to other sides.

The last match day of the group stage is this Wednesday, in which France will face New Zealand, and Canada’s opponents will be Colombia.