2027 World Cup Qualifications: First defeat for the French team, beaten by the Netherlands

The French women’s team stumbled in Breda (2-1) on Tuesday, allowing the first place in the group to slip away.

Published on April 14, 2026, at 22:41, updated at 22:43.

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Marie-Antoinette Katoto in a duel with the French team against the Netherlands in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers on April 14, 2026, in Breda. (SEM VAN DER WAL / ANP)

This was a very poor operation. After starting their qualification campaign for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil with two wins, the French team suffered a defeat away to the Netherlands (2-1) on Tuesday, April 14. Laurent Bonadei’s players lacked sharpness against more realistic opponents.

After Renee van Asten, the young defender, opened the scoring, more composed than Melvine Malard in an aerial duel (11th minute), the Dutch led for 43 minutes. Sandy Baltimore looked to put France back on track and avoid defeat by causing Lynn Wilms to score an own goal with a tackle on her cross (54th minute). However, an unfortunate deflection from Melween N’dongala benefited Esmee Brugts, whose shot was touched but not turned by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (68th minute).

As the French team had just leveled the score, the Netherlands managed to regain the lead with a goal from Esmee Brugts, taking advantage of a not firm enough hand from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

The French team will have to seek revenge on Saturday against these formidable Dutch opponents, at home in Auxerre (9:10 p.m.). The goal will be to reclaim the first place in the group, directly qualifying for the next World Cup. Currently, they trail the Netherlands by one point (7 points compared to 6 for the French team).