Big defeat for NZ women's footballers

The New Zealand women’s football team were outplayed by France in Salvador, going down 3-0 and making for a very awkward statistical equation for them to stave off elimination from the Olympic tournament.

After their brave 1-0 win over Colombia, the New Zealanders were hoping for a big performance against the classy and physical French side.

However, they were never really in the game.

France scored in the 38^th minute, courtesy of substitute striker Eugenie Le Sommer, and twice more in the second half, both goals coming from Louisa Cadamura.

New Zealand didn’t have many chances, but Amber Hearn went close in the 85^th minute. Generally though, the New Zealanders played a conservative style and manufactured few genuine chances.