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Wendie Renard gave France momentary hope with quarterfinal goal (Video)

By Kevin Parvizi

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Wendie Renard of France celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Wendie Renard of France celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
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Wendie Renard is one of the best center backs in the world, and she gave France hope in the last 10 minutes of their quarterfinals game against the USWNT.

France can be deadly on set pieces, and Wendie Renard quickly showed this in her team’s first game of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Renard scored two goals from dead ball situations in the opener against South Korea, and she also converted a penalty later in the group stages for good measure.

Facing the USWNT in the quarterfinals, Renard needed to come up big both on offense and defense. The team needed her most in the late stages of the game, as Megan Rapinoe scored her second goal of the game and fifth goal of the tournament in the 65th minute for a 2-0 lead.

Not but 15 minutes later in the 81st, Renard gave France some life by heading home a wonderfully-delivered indirect free kick. The USWNT erred by giving Renard so much space in the heart of the penalty box, and Renard delivered, heading past Alyssa Naeher.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1144707389788004352

This was a great cross from Gaëtane Thiney. Renard is now in the Golden Boot race despite being a defender, as her four goals put her only one goal behind USWNT attackers Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.

Renard’s composure on defense, excellent tackling ability, and range of passing make her a world-class center back, and her ability to score goals is just the icing on the cake. France played well against the USWNT despite the 2-0 deficit after 65 minutes, so Renard’s goal was a well-deserved lifeline for the host nation.

Megan Rapinoe adds to her Golden Boot claim. dark. Next

France have always needed to convert off of set pieces, and Renard’s advantage in the air is a key source of goals in big games. Additionally, captain Amandine Henry scored the winner in extra time against Brazil in the Round of 16 off an indirect free kick, with the delivery coming from one of the world’s best set piece specialists in left back Amel Majri.