England's Blueprint for Opening World Cup with a Positive Result Against France

In any international tournament, you would always like to avoid one of the favourites in your opening game, and England face one of their toughest tests when they take on France in Moncton on June 9. However, it is not all doom and gloom for Mark Sampson’s squad.

Les Bleues may be ranked third in the official FIFA World Rankings, but they do have a weakness, and it is something that England are well placed to try to expose as they open their Group F campaign.

In qualifying for the tournament, France, like England, went unbeaten over the 10 games, scoring 54 goals—although 24 of them came in the two games against Bulgaria.

It may have only been a friendly when Scotland took on France in Nancy last week, but it showed that with all their attacking talent, Philippe Bergeroo’s side can be frustrated and contained.

France scored through Marie-Laure Delie, but despite an avalanche of possession and sustained pressure, the Scottish back line—helped by Manchester City’s Jennifer Beattie—held firm and stopped the French from adding a second.

England lost 1-0 to Canada in their final preparation game before the tournament, and although it was disappointing from an attacking perspective, they showed great organisation and discipline in their defensive display.

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Mark Sampson lined up the team in a 4-4-2 formation, and the two banks of four worked very well to frustrate and hold off the Canadian attack. It took a stunning strike from Sophie Schmidt to separate the sides.

France are heavy favourites to win Group F and go all the way this summer, but there is history to show that when they are faced with a well-organised defence, they can get frustrated and panic.

At the 2012 London Olympics, France were favourites to pick up the Bronze medal against Canada at the Ricoh Arena. Despite having 24 shots on goal, Les Bleues only managed four on target and were hit by a 92nd-minute winner from Diana Matheson.

Stanley Chou/Getty Images

Two years ago, France were seeded third for the 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship. After breezing through the group stage with a 100 percent record, they faced a tough Danish side and again failure to break down their Scandinavian opponents cost them dearly.

France created 31 attempts on goal, compared to their opponents' measly four. Denmark took the lead, and France needed a 71st-minute penalty from Louisa Necib to level the game but would go on to lose 4-2 on penalties.

Again, it was a story of missed chances for the French.

Going into the opening group game, this is the blueprint that Sampson has to follow. England have never beaten France in any of their 12 matches, but they have picked up five draws.

What is important from Tuesday’s opening game is that England don’t try to take the game to France. It is more crucial to keep things tight, frustrate the favourites and look to the likes of Eniola Aluko, Fran Kirby or Toni Duggan to hit on the break.

Finishing second in the group is no disaster. It would likely pair England with Norway in the last 16—and without Caroline Hansen, it would be a winnable game for the Lionesses.

Losing heavily in the opening game would leave England scrambling, and dropping to third would mean taking on Japan, USA or Sweden.

Martin Rose/Getty Images

France are not invincible, they have shown that in the past, when faced against tough, disciplined defences—something that Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais don’t face most weeks—they can cut a figure of frustration and not one of grace and free-flowing football.

England need a positive result to kick off the tournament, but that doesn’t have to be with three points. One point would be enormous, even a narrow defeat would give Sampson’s side something to build on for the rest of the competition.

Repeat the encouraging elements of the 1-0 defeat to Canada from last week, and England have a great chance of upsetting one of the favourites and beginning their World Cup campaign in ideal fashion.