France sent a message to Olympic groupmates Team USA with a resounding 4-0 win over Colombia on Wednesday in Belo Horizonte.
Camile Abily and Amel Majri each scored free kick goals, Eugenie Le Sommer scored in a dominant performance, and a Colombia own goal rounded out the scoring.
France next faces Team USA in a massive match after the Yanks won 2-0 versus New Zealand earlier Wednesday, while Colombia moves on to face the Football Ferns in a must-win match for both sides.
MORE: Highlights here
France netted just as the game passed the one minute mark, as Le Sommer’s cross was deflected in by Colombia’s Carolina Arias. 1-0, 2′.
They looked set to make it 2-0 from an in-tight free kick, but Colombia goalkeeper Sandra Sepúlveda darted in front of the offering before Wendie Renard could nod it home.
Elise Bussaglia fired a laser just off frame in the 13th minute as France continued to control the proceedings. Le Sommer added a second via diving header in the 14th minute when she followed a rebound off the cross bar.
Colombia found some momentum as the game entered its second 20 minutes, with a corner kick and free kick series that ended when
Sepulveda then parried well after Le Sommer dribbled through the 18 to take a left-footed shot. It was her sixth shot of the game, all coming within the first half hour.
Abily swooped a 19-yard free kick over the wall and past a diving Sepulveda before halftime to make it 3-0. It was a gorgeous shot.
Majri lofted a left-footed free kick over Sepulveda, off the cross bar, and into the goal with less than 10 minutes to play.
France played a near-suffocating defense to go with its strong attack and, considering the competition today, was probably the most impressive side of the nascent tournament.
