Women's World Cup - Mexico 0-5 France: French finally show up to blitz Mexico and make last 16

Les Bleues scored five goals to beat a Mexico side that were never really in the contest.

Women's World Cup - Mexico 0-5 France: French finally show up to blitz Mexico and make last 16
jonathanwalsh_
By Jonathan Walsh

France secured an impressive 5-0 win over Mexico to seal their place at the top of Group F, and book their place in the Women's World Cup last 16 stage.

Leonardo Cuellar made two changes from the side that lost to England, bringing in Valeria Miranda for Bianca Sierra and Ranae Cuellar for Greta Espinoza.

For France, it was a case of winning by a handsome margin to try and top the group. Philippe Bergeroo responded emphatically, making four changes.

Elodie ThomisAmandine Henry, Amel Majri and Marie-Laure Delie all came into the line-up, replacing Kenza Dali, Elise Bussaglia, Louisa Necib and Gaetane Thiney.

France get off to a lightning quick start

The changes worked a treat and France went ahead within the very first minute.

Thomis and Delie fully justified their inclusions after 30 seconds, with the former crossing for Diele and the experienced forward headed home after Auroura Santiago failed to punch clear.

Things soon got worse for the Mexicans, as France doubled their lead. Camille Abily's corner deflected off Wendie Renard and then Jennifer Ruiz, who unfortunately guided it past her own goalkeeper.

The French were unstoppable and Eugenie Le Sommer created their third inside a quarter of an hour. She passed into Thomis, who burst down the right and crossed for Le Sommer and the snuck in at the near post to poke it home.

Mexico finally managed to gain a foothold in the game, though France continued to pepper their goal. Henry and Le Sommer both had good chances but neither found the target.

Le Sommer gets her second

It wasn't long until the latter had her second, however, as she scored a bizarre goal.

Laura Georges' initial effort was saved by Santiago and the rebound fell kindly for her, only to blast it into Le Sommer's stomach to deflect the ball home.

That was the story of the first half, as France had already done what they needed to do in order to make the last 16.

Second half begins in a similar way to the first

Mexico made a double change at the beginning of the second half. Renae Cuellar and Arianna Romero replaced Veronica Corral and Sandra Mayor

That didn't help the CONCACAF side, as Diele wasted a great chance to make it five.

Veronica Perez finally got the first Mexican attempt at goal but her fierce drive flew just over from 30 yards.

The game had died slightly in the second period and France were more than happy to control possession.

Chances were few and far between, though the troublesome Thomis had her effort come off the bar.

Thiney came off the bench and nearly fired home a spectacular effort from outside the area but it went inches wide of the post.

Game ends with France as group winners, Henry adds the fifth

The match was one that lacked any real drive towards the end, with both teams realising their fate was secured.

It was meandering towards the end, until Henry scored a world class goal from distance.

She struck across the ball and made it duck, dive and swerve into the top corner from 25 yards - a special strike to seal a 5-0 win.

Mexico exit with one point from their three games but will be well aware that they have put on some fine performances in that time.

For France, they top the group. It wasn't how they would have planned, though they now await on the Group E games to finish to see who their next opponents are.