Women's Euro 2022: France advance to quarters after 2-1 win over Belgium

Griedge Mbock Bathy headed France into the quarterfinals at the Womens European Championship in a 21 victory over Belgium on ThursdayJanice Cayman had brought Belgium back into the game by canceling out Kadidiatou Dianis early headed goal before Mbock Bathy nodded into the net in the 41st minuteFrance clinched the top spot in Group D with a game to spare after backtoback victories The second quarterfinal qualification place is still up for grabs between the other three teams with Iceland on two points in second place after drawing 11 with Italy which is on one point with BelgiumThe group concludes on Monday with Italy playing Belgium and Iceland facing FranceIn the northern English city of Rotherham France found it far tenser than the 51 rout of Italy in its opener despite scoring in the 6th minute Sakina Karchaoui made a surging run down the left and her cross was headed in by DianiKarchaoui was proving to be a menace down the left and once again floated a ball into Diani but this time her header was turned onto the post by goalkeeper Nicky Evrard from pointblank rangeAlso Read We want success together Manchester United coach Erik Ten HagBelgium leveled against the run of play when Cayman poked past the onrushing goalkeeper Pauline PeyraudMagnin but France restored its lead when Mbock Bathy met Clara Mateacuteos crossFrance remained in control in the second half and Belgium had Evrard to thank for avoiding a heavier defeat when she made a fine save to deny Ouleymata SarrBelgium was reduced to 10 players in the 89th when Amber Tysiak received a second booking for handling But Evrard once again denied France as she got down low to save the resulting penalty from Wendie RenardIn Manchester Iceland took the lead through Karoacuteliacutena Lea Vilhjaacutelmsdoacutettir inside three minutes with the first chance of the game Sveindiacutes Jane Joacutensdoacutettirs long throw caused panic in the Italy penalty area and Vilhjaacutelmsdoacutettir unleashed a shot that flew inside the postThe match turned on two chances within a minute just after the hour mark Alexandra Joacutehannsdoacutettir had a golden chance to grab a second for Iceland but she could only poke her closerange shot wideItaly then went down the other end and skillful play from Barbara Bonansea on the left flank ended with her picking out Valentina Bergamaschi in the center of the box to apply the finish for the winner in the 62nd minuteBonansea almost found the winner but goalkeeper Sandra Sigurethardoacutettir tipped the ball onto the inside of the postThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever