Football. Qualifications for the World Cup 2027: The Blues concede a draw against the Netherlands

After opening the score, the Blues could not do better than a draw against the Netherlands this Saturday in Auxerre (1-1), and no longer have their destiny in their hands in the race for direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Beaten 2-1 in Breda on Tuesday despite clear domination, Laurent Bonadei’s players still have one point less than the Oranje, before the last two qualifying matches against Poland and Ireland in June. They are therefore reduced to hoping for a slip-up from the Dutch to regain the top spot in the group, the only one offering a direct ticket to the World Cup.

This draw at the Abbé-Deschamps will leave a bitter taste for the teammates of Griedge Mbock, who may have to go through the playoff stage to play the sixth World Cup in their history. Like Tuesday, Bonadei’s players dominated without managing to shake the resilient Dutch defense and sometimes threatening counter-attacks, despite the absence of several key players, including their star Vivianne Miedema (95 goals in 118 appearances).

Tense due to the stakes, and after finally finding a breakthrough with the crucial goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto just before half-time (45th+1), the French team cracked in the second half, just when they seemed finally liberated and dominant. A recurring problem for the Blues: it’s the 13th consecutive match where they concede at least one goal. Despite some decisive interventions from their goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in the first half, with authoritative exits on several corners (4th, 5th), and a firm hand on a shot from FC Barcelona’s forward Esmee Brugts (11th).

A goal against the run of play

Determined but not sharp enough, like a very lively but sometimes erratic Sakina Karchaoui for her 100th selection under the French jersey, the Blues failed to set the necessary pace to liven up the game. Except for a few warnings, the French defense rarely trembled in a tightly locked first half, where chances were scarce on both sides. Nervous near the Dutch area, the Blues were finally set free just before halftime by Lyon forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto, whose powerful header after a pinpoint cross from Sandy Baltimore (45th+1) made the 8,334 spectators roar in the AJA’s den.

Inspired by this liberating goal, Bonadei’s players were more dangerous after the break and seemed to take control of the game. But on one of their few opportunities, the Dutch struck with surgical precision, Chelsea’s young midfielder Wieke Kaptein beating Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after a huge effort from Brugts (76th), already decisive with a goal in the first leg.

Increasingly nervous, the Blues tried everything, and Grace Geyoro was close to giving France the advantage when her powerful strike hit the crossbar (79th) with Daphne van Domselaar probably beaten. A last hope ultimately in vain.