2023 World Cup: Panama Women vs France Women – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
Wednesday is a huge day for France as they look to secure their place in the last-16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup as they face Panama.
Panama – already eliminated – will be playing for pride and hoping to get some points on the board, having lost to Brazil and Jamaica.
Match Preview
Panama World Cup campaign
Panama’s first-ever appearance in the Women’s World Cup finals started with a challenging match against Brazil. Despite their best efforts, Las Canaleras suffered a decisive 4-0 defeat. However, they showed resilience in their second game against Jamaica.
During the intense match, both teams were evenly matched, resulting in a goalless first half. Eventually, in the 56th minute, Jamaica managed to break the deadlock with a goal from Allyson Swaby. Despite their determination, Panama couldn’t find an equaliser, leading to a 1-0 loss that ended their World Cup journey early.
Having experienced defeats in their previous four international matches, Las Canaleras face a tough task ahead as they prepare to take on France, a team ranked 47 places higher than them in the FIFA World Rankings.
France World Cup campaign
France’s 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign began with a frustrating goalless draw against Jamaica. However, on Matchday Two, they made a statement with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Brazil.
The closely contested match saw Eugenie Le Sommer open the scoring, only to be equalised by Debinha. But in the 83rd minute, Wendie Renard’s crucial header secured a late twist and the winning goal for France.
With one more goal than Jamaica, France enters the final group game as the group leaders, holding a one-point advantage over third-placed Brazil.
With their destiny in their own hands, Les Bleues only need a draw to advance to the last-16. However, a victory would secure top spot unless the Reggae Girlz manage to beat Brazil by a greater margin in the group’s other game.
France enters the decisive match with confidence, having won seven, drawn two, and lost just one of their last 10 international matches.
Team News
Panama could stick with a back five consisting of Emily Cedeno, Wendy Natis, Yomira Pinzon, Carina Baltrip-Reyes and Katherine Castillo.
Aldrith Quintero dropped down to the bench for the defeat to Jamaica, but the 21-year-old could return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Lineth Cedeno is set to retain her place in the side, and the Sampdoria forward may have the lonely task of leading the line.
As for France, Renard will continue to marshall the backline after shaking off an injury issue to play against Brazil on Saturday.
Eve Perisset, Kenza Dali and Selma Bacha all made their first starts of the tournament, and they are expected to retain their places in the side, with Herve Renard set to name an unchanged lineup.
Le Sommer will feature up front for Les Bleues, and she will be looking to find the net once again after opening her account for the tournament in the win over Brazil.
Panama Women possible starting lineup:
Bailey; E. Cedeno, Natis, Pinzon, Baltrip-Reyes, Castillo; Cox, Gonzalez, Quintero, Tanner; L. Cedeno
France Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Lakrar, Renard, Karchoui; Toletti, Geyoro, Dali; Diani, Bacha, Le Sommer
WTX Sport predicts France 3-0 Panama
It should be a fairly easy game for France and we’d expect a clean win.