On February 25, 2025, the French women's football team faced off against Iceland at the Stade Marie-Marvingt in Le Mans during the UEFA Women’s Nations League. With kickoff scheduled for 21:10, fans were eager to see if the Bleues could extend their unbeaten record at this stadium, where they had previously achieved seven straight victories.
France came off a recent win against Norway, where they narrowly clinched the match 1-0. Their solid performance had put them atop the league standings with three points, making this matchup with Iceland all the more significant. The Icelandic team, currently ranked 14th globally, drew 0-0 with Switzerland in their opening match and sought their first points of the tournament.
The match was broadcast live on W9, allowing fans who couldn't attend to catch the action from home. Organizers expected between 8,000 and 10,000 spectators at the stadium, which included young football players from local clubs and students invited to witness the match, promoting women's football across the Sarthe region.
Coach Laurent Bonadei made three strategic changes from the last game against Norway. The official starting lineup for France featured goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin, along with defenders Bacha, Lakrar, Renard (captain), and Samoura. The midfield included Karchaoui, Toletti, and Geyoro, with attackers Baltimore, Katoto, and Diani leading the charge.
For Iceland, the lineup included goalkeeper Rúnarsdóttir, with defenders Heidarsdottir, Sigurdardottir, Viggosdottir (captain), and Arnadottir. Their midfield comprised of Hauksdottir, Vilhjálmsdottir, and Johannsdottir, supported by forwards Gunnlaugsdottir, Jonsdottir, and Jessen.
With the match underway, the French squad quickly set the tone. Diani opened the scoring for the Bleues at the 23rd minute, capitalizing on Icelandic goalkeeper Rúnarsdóttir's misplay during the buildup. Following this, Katoto doubled the lead at 28 minutes with remarkable teamwork, showcasing France's offensive prowess.
Iceland showed resilience, managing to pull one back through Vilhjálmsdottir, who scored with assistance from Bacha's unintentional deflection at 37 minutes. The end of the first half found France leading 2-1, but the Icelandic team had shown they could capitalize on errors.
After halftime, the game continued with France maintaining control but facing sturdy defenses from the Icelanders. The French squad demonstrated moments of brilliance with dazzling footwork, especially from Baltimore and Toletti, who kept creating opportunities. Despite several close chances, including hitting the bar, it wasn't until the second half’s 65th minute when Baltimore scored again, extending the lead to 3-1.
With the excitement building, Iceland didn’t give up and managed to score again, bringing the score to 3-2, creating tension as the match neared its conclusion. The French team stood firm under pressure, maintaining composure as they counted down to the final whistle.
The match highlighted some of the formidable talents within the teams, especially with Eugénie Le Sommer entering the field and becoming France’s most capped player with 199 selections, breaking the record previously held by Sandrine Soubeyrand. Le Sommer’s presence added even more energy to the already intense atmosphere.
Reflecting on the match’s significance, Frédéric Davy, the president of the Sarthe football district, expressed optimism for promoting women's football: "C'est une bonne nouvelle pour le foot parce que l'équipe nationale se déplace souvent au Mans. Ce soir, on espère que la France va gagner aussi contre l'Islande," underscoring the role such events play in encouraging young talents.
With the game wrapping up, fans had plenty to celebrate as France maintained its lead and secured another victory, reinforcing their strong position within the group. With eyes set on the next match against Switzerland, the team looks to capture continued excellence on the road to the UEFA Women’s Nations League.