Football: France win women’s World Cup opener

SINSHEIM: France opened the 2011 women’s World Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Nigeria thanks to Marie-Laure Delie’s goal in a crucial Group A encounter. A near sell-out crowd of 25,475 in Sinsheim saw a number of good chances but no goals until Delie’s goal in the 56th minute gave France three points in the group with Nigeria remaining on zero. The game at Rhein Neckar Arena was considered a near must-win for both sides with two-time reigning champions and hosts Germany must likely to advance as the other team from Group A to the quarter-finals.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2011.