Panama 3-6 France: Les Bleues move into last-16 despite South American debutants’ first Women’s World Cup goals

France beat Panama 6-3 to win Group F and advance to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup in style, with Kadidiatou Diani scoring a hat-trick.

It was Panama who scored the best goal of the game however, through captain Marta Cox, who curled a 35-yard free kick into the top corner in just the second minute to give the World Cup debutants a dream start.

The lead would not last and France equalised through a Maelle Lakrar header – helped over the line by a sliced clearance – before Diani put Les Bleues ahead from close range.

Diani converted a penalty after Wendy Natis handled in the Panama box and it was 4-1 on the stroke of the interval when a Lea Le Garrec cross went straight in.

Diani completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot after Natis was judged to have handled for a second time.

Panama pulled a goal back also from the penalty spot, via Yomira Pinzon, and then Lineth Cedeno headed in their third, each goal sparking jubilant celebrations.

France had the last word however, as Vicki Becho added a sixth for France in stoppage time, volleying past past the busy Yenith Bailey in the Panama goal.

France will face the Group H runners-up in the round of 16.

Cox’s contender goal of the tournament. Panama has never scored a Women’s World Cup goal at kick-off, but needed fewer than 90 seconds to fix that. And it was fixed in style.

From a free kick which looked too far out to cause real danger, captain Cox unleashed a wicked, curling shot which arrowed into the top corner and left the French goalkeeper helpless despite travelling at least 35 yards in the air.

There have been other great goals at the tournament, but this one is right up there with the best of them and what it meant for Panama should no be underestimated.

Vicki Becho (France). The 19-year-old brought real thrust to France’s attacks and was too quick, too direct for Panama to handle. Diani may have got the most goals, but Becho cause the most panic.

Becho thoroughly deserved her goal when it came and has surely earned more playing time going forward, although the fact she was not taken off suggests manager Herve Renard will not start Becho in France’s next game.

Panama: Bailey 6, Jaen 5, Natis 4, Pinzon 7, Baltrip-Reyes 5, Salazar 5, E. Cedeno 6, Quintero 5, Montenegro 5, Tanner 6, Cox 8. Subs: L. Cedeno 7, Hernandez 5, Gonzalez 5, Espinosa 5, Mills 5.

France: Peyraud-Magnin 6, Perisset 7, Lakrar 6, De Almeida 5, Cascarino 7, Mateo 6, Geyoro 6, Le Garrec 6, Bacha 7, Diani 8, Becho 8. Subs: Majri 6, Asseyi 5, Fazer 6.

2′ GOAL! PANAMA 1-0 FRANCE (COX) – Panama take the lead with an absolute stunner! The free kick is a good 35 yards out, but Cox takes a long run-up and unleashes a sensational strike which curls away from Peyraud-Magnin and into the top corner.

21′ GOAL! PANAMA 1-1 FRANCE (LAKRAR) – France win a corner and although nothing comes of the first cross, they recycle the ball, send it back into the box and Lakrar rises highest head goalwards. Bailey looks like she will get there, but Salazar tries to hack clear and ends up diverting the ball into the net.

28′ – GOAL! PANAMA 1-2 FRANCE (DIANI) Becho gets in behind on the right and crosses low for Diani. The first shot is saved, but Diani gathers the rebound and finishes calmly into the roof of the net.

37′ GOAL! PANAMA 1-3 FRANCE (DIANI) Diani steps up and rolls the ball into the bottom left corner. Bailey dived the wrong way.

45+5′ – GOAL! PANAMA 1-4 FRANCE (LE GARREC) Le Garrec crosses from a deep position and it evades everyone, including goalkeeper Bailey, before bouncing into the top corner.

52′ GOAL! PANAMA 1-5 FRANCE (DIANI) – Gifted a second penalty, Diani goes to the same corner and it is the same result, despite Bailey diving the right way. Diani has a hat-trick.

65′ GOAL! PANAMA 2-5 FRANCE (PINZON) – After being ordered to re-take a penalty, Pinzon smashes past Peyraud-Magnin.

87′ GOAL! PANAMA 3-5 FRANCE (L. CEDENO) – After a long VAR review, it is confirmed that Panama have another goal! Cedeno flicks on a free kick, the ball comes back off the bar and she reacts quickest to nod in the rebound.

90+10′ GOAL! PANAMA 3-6 FRANCE (BECHO) – Becho scores a well-deserved goal from a cross, running to the near post and volleying home.

• Cox’s goal was the fastest of the tournament so far.
• Diani is the first player to score a hat-trick for France at the Women’s World Cup.