Kadidiatou Diani’s netted a hat-trick in a 6-3 win, but it was still a memorable night for Las Canaleras.
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Marta Cox scored Panama’s first Women’s World Cup goal
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Kadidiatou Diani scored a hat-trick, which included two penalties
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The victory secured top spot in Group F for France
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Panama 3 – 6 France | Group F
Goalscorers: Marta Cox (2′), Maelle Lakrar (21′), Kadidiatou Diani (28′, 37′, 52′), Lea Le Garrec (45+5′), Yomira Pinzon (64′), Lineth Cedeno (87′), Vicki Becho (90+10′)
France wrapped up top spot in FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Group F following a convincing 6-3 win over Panama at Sydney Football Stadium.
Panama took the lead barely a minute into the match when Marta Cox curled home a stunning free-kick from 35 yards out, prompting the tears to flow for the captain after scoring her country’s first Women’s World Cup goal.
Early in the second half, Diany completed her hat-trick by firing another penalty low into the bottom corner after Vicki Becho’s headed flick-on struck Wendy Natis’ outstretched arm.
Panama pulled a goal back on 64 minutes when Pinzon drilled a penalty into the corner after Elisa De Almeida had barged over Riley Tanner.
Lineth Cedeno scored a third goal for Panama in the 87th minute when she headed home the rebound after a deep free-kick had bounced back off the crossbar but Becho guided home a sixth goal for France in the 10th minute of added time as they set up a last-16 clash with the runners-up from Group H.
Key stat
Kadidiatou Diani scored France’s first-ever hat-trick in FIFA Women’s World Cup history; the 27th overall in tournament history.
VISA Player of the Match
Kadidiatou Diani (France)
Quotes
To score these goals is something so special and to play with a team like that is also so special. Definitely, this loss is not the greatest, we have things to learn from this experience and I’m so grateful and so proud of the team. It’s something huge, it’s something to be proud of for sure. France is a really good team and it’s pretty special to be on the field with such great players. I’m just super proud of how our team battled til the very end. We were never gonna give up. Those three goals were very special so I’m just super proud. Riley Tanner, Panama
fifa.com