Japan beat France 2-0 to take the top spot in Group D

Japan and France had both won their opening group games, and this match was for top spot in Group D. The early minutes were open, with Japan creating the first chances.

A cross was blocked by Nearte, who could not follow up on the clearance, and Japan could have gone close from there. A strike from Japan also went too close to the keeper, and a good delivery was saved by the goalkeeper on the line. Shimizu got there first in one of the battles.

Itto played a defence-splitting pass into the box. The goalkeeper parried the ball, and it was cleared before it could reach Kitama at the back post.

Mika was forced wide but managed to hold on to the ball. She then tried a long-range effort, which went onto the roof of the net.

Possession changed hands quickly on both sides before the breakthrough came. The ball was moved through to Hannah, who found the top corner, and Japan finally broke the deadlock. The commentary noted that the French defence had been breached.

Hanira continued her run in the penalty area and beat the goalkeeper, giving Japan a second goal. The scorer was the same player who had been involved in the earlier attack.

The win meant Japan took all three points, securing top spot in Group D and a place in the knockout rounds. The full-time score was Japan 2, France 0.