Barbance helps France over finishing line

Solène Barbance came off the bench to score her second and third goals of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship as France proved too strong for Belarus in Borisov, all but ending the hosts' hopes.

Rubio opener
One of only five players retained by Les Bleuettes coach Jean-Michel Degrange following the opening-day defeat by Germany, Léa Rubio broke the deadlock after just 12 minutes. It was a lead they never looked like relinquishing, albeit against an improved Belarus side, but they had to wait until the closing stages to make the points safe. Second-half substitute Barbance doubled the advantage seven minutes from time and 60 seconds later she made it 3-0.

Defensive improvement
Belarus coach Dmitri Shevchuk had said before the game that only on the basis of a sound defence could his charges "get any points here", yet they soon fell behind. Having hit the crossbar against Germany, the lively Rubio was not to be denied a second time as she played a clever one-two with Marina Makanza before firing into the far corner. It was a moment of real ingenuity from the French side, finding a hole in a Belarusian back line that appeared far less porous than in the 4-1 loss to Switzerland. The French threat soon dissipated, though Fanny Tenret did come close on the counterattack and, just before the half-hour, Ekaterina Kovalchuk tipped Charlène Karsenti's effort on to the crossbar.

Late double
At fault for two Swiss goals on Monday, Kovalchuk grew in confidence but despite bringing in the creative Lyubov Gudchenko and Veranika Liubiankova, the hosts offered little going forward. Ekaterina Miklashevich stood a lonely vigil in attack, a disappointing afternoon cut short after the hour when she went off with a knee injury and replaced by Viktoria Bundyukova. It was a like-for-like replacement in every sense. In control, France finally earned breathing space when Barbance latched on to a long ball and rifled home, swiftly repeating the feat. It leaves Degrange's team needing to beat Switzerland on Sunday to guarantee a semi-final place, while Belarus' slender hopes rest with the Swiss winning while they claim a big victory against five-time champions Germany.