Khadija Shaw was sent off in stoppage time as Jamaica secured their first ever point at a Women’s World Cup by holding France to a goalless draw in their Group F opener in Sydney.
Skipper Shaw’s late dismissal, collecting a second bookable offence for a tackle on counterpart Wendie Renard, brought a sour note towards the end of an impressive display from the Reggae Girlz as they admirably kept at bay a team lying 38 places higher than them in the FIFA rankings at fifth in the world.
Kadidiatou Diani saw one shot saved by Rebecca Spencer, another deflect just wide, and headed against the woodwork late on as France were left frustrated.
The historic result for Jamaica, whose previous record at this level was three defeats at the 2019 World Cup in France, came just over a month on from their players releasing a statement expressing their “utmost disappointment” with their federation over a range of issues including planning, training conditions and compensation.
The next match for Lorne Donaldson’s side is against Panama on Saturday, when Herve Renard’s France take on Brazil. Brazil and Panama open by playing each other in Adelaide on Monday.
The most notable moment early on was Renard and Manchester City striker Shaw clashing heads in an aerial challenge, with each able to continue after treatment.
As France pressurised later in the half, Diani’s shot was turned around the post by Spencer and Renard was unable to convert as she tried to connect with the resulting corner.
Shaw then drove a free-kick wide at the other end, before Diani went close with a deflected strike in first-half stoppage time.
After the break, further France efforts included Diani heading wide, Eugenie Le Sommer being denied by Spencer and, in the 90th minute, Diani then seeing another header hit the bar and post.
Soon after, Shaw was given her marching orders following a challenge on Renard, but Jamaica managed to hold on for the ground-breaking point.
