France triumphs over Brazil in a thrilling victory, securing their readiness for the Euro 2025 tournament.
Bring It On, Les Bleues! France Triumphs Over Tough Rivals in Pre-Euro Prep
France conquered Brazil 3-2 in Grenoble last Friday, June 27, in their final tune-up before squaring off against England in Switzerland at the Euro on July 5. After a shaky start that saw them concede two goals in the first 12 minutes, the squad, under Grace Geyoro's leadership who notched a brace, turned the tide, securing a nail-biting victory, thanks to Marie-Antoinette Katoto's goal in the 76th minute. With their dominant 8-game winning streak in 2025, the French team wraps up their preparations triumphantly, punishing Belgium a week prior, ahead of their big dance against the current European champions.
However, this victory came at a price for Laurent Bonadei's team. Facing the side that dashed their Olympic dreams in Paris the previous year, the French squad barely dodged a pre-Euro bullet. Their early missteps allowed Brazil to capitalize on their defensive blunders: Keroline and Luany combined to beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (7th), and a rushed marking job by Selma Bacha left Kerolin unguarded in the box (12th).
Facing tougher opposition than Belgium, the French team fought tooth and nail to secure the win, though they had some fortunate breaks along the way. Geyoro, a key player in 2025, ignited France's comeback with two well-executed finishes, taking advantage of sloppy Brazilian clearances (45th, 56th). Katoto, yet again, proved her finishing prowess as a substitute with a powerful header that edged the French victory in the second half (76th).
"Looking For a Real Challenge Before the Euro"
Although not everything was peachy in their performance at the Stade des Alpes on Friday, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin made several pivotal saves. Coach Laurent Bonadei, however, was buoyed by his team's overall performance, saying, "I really craved a brutally challenging match before the Euro. The Brazilians are Olympic finalists, ranked 4th in the world, play with a wild intensity, and have a bit of an edge. I loved the team spirit; they never give up. Everyone contributed, Katoto pounded one in, Delphine added speed, Melvine exhibited power. We needed this match to cope with adversity, observe how we react, reassure ourselves. It boosts my confidence".
Now, the team gears up for their Euro opener against England, the reigning world vice-champions and current European champions, next Saturday. This promises to be a grueling duel where their ability to respond will be tested yet again. "We started the match badly, but we rallied well. We struggled a bit, but we gradually took control. I believe we're game ready", declared captain Grace Geyoro.
[1] FIFA Women's World Rankings, 2025[2] France vs Brazil: Match Stats[3] How France Outplayed Brazil in Their Pre-Euro Friendly[4] Grace Geyoro: The Heart of the French Women's Soccer Team[5] Women's Euro: France's Tough Road to the Championship
- Grace Geyoro and the French team, currently in top form with an impressive 8-game winning streak, are eager to take on the challenge of European-leagues football, particularly the Premier League, as they prepare for the Euro.
- As they approach the Euro, the French squad is looking forward to testing their mettle against the fiercest opponents, having developed an equal measure of grit and skill through hard-fought victories against formidable teams like Brazil, current Olympic finalists and 4th ranked in the world.
