France leave it late to reboot hopes as Jamaica make history

BRISBANE, Australia: France breathed fresh life into their Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Brazil on Saturday as Sweden barreled into the last 16 and Jamaica claimed a historic first win.

France captain Wendie Renard headed in the winner seven minutes from time in front of nearly 50,000 in Brisbane to earn a vital three points and leave Brazil’s World Cup in peril.

The result blew Group F wide open. France are top on four points from two games and in pole position to qualify along with Jamaica, who have the same number of points following a 1-0 triumph over Panama.

Herve Renard’s France defied most of the Brisbane crowd and a Brazilian team who thumped Panama 4-0 in their previous match, to reinvigorate French hopes of a first World Cup title.

The French controlled much of the first half and took an early lead through veteran striker Eugenie Le Sommer with her 90th goal in 181 appearances.

Brazil came back into the game in the second half and were rewarded when Debinha latched onto a deflected shot and fired past goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to level.

With time running out, France struck again.

Selma Bacha swung in a corner in the 83rd minute and defender Renard — who had been a pre-match injury doubt — appeared unmarked at the far post to head home.

Meanwhile, Sweden thumped Italy 5-0 to join title contenders Spain and former champions Japan in reaching the knockout rounds with a match to spare.

Three goals in seven minutes in the first half did the damage in Wellington as Italy struggled to deal with Sweden’s set pieces and aerial threat.

Arsenal defender Amanda Ilestedt scored twice and has three goals at this World Cup, all with her head.

“Maybe I didn’t expect three goals but I