France Women will look to secure their place in the knockout rounds of the Women's World Cup 2023 when they wrap up the group stage against Panama Women on Wednesday.

Panama, meanwhile, are playing for pride after their elimination was confirmed with defeats to Brazil and Jamaica.

Match preview

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Panama's first appearance in a Women's World Cup finals began with a difficult outing in their opening game against Brazil.

Las Canaleras were comfortably dispatched by a 4-0 scoreline, but they managed to produce a battling performance in Saturday's defeat to Jamaica.

The two sides played out a goalless first half, before Jamaica took the lead through Allyson Swaby in the 56th minute.

As it proved, Panama were unable to find an equaliser, and the 1-0 loss condemned Ignacio Quintana's side to an early exit.

Having lost their last four internationals, Las Canaleras will have their work cut out to trouble a France side that are sitting 47 places above them in the FIFA World Rankings.

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After beginning the tournament with a frustrating goalless draw against Jamaica, France managed to lay down a marker on Matchday Two with a 2-1 win over Brazil.

The gripping contest looked to be heading towards a draw after Eugenie Le Sommer's opener was cancelled out by Debinha, but there was to be a late twist in the 83rd minute when Wendie Renard headed home the crucial winning goal.

Having scored one more strike than Jamaica, France head into the final group game as the group leaders, while they are one point clear of third-placed Brazil.

With their fate in their own hands, Les Bleues will progress to the last 16 with a point, and a victory would be enough to secure top spot unless the Reggae Girlz beat Brazil by a greater margin in the group's other game.

France will certainly be confident of picking up a positive result, having won seven, drawn two and lost just one of their last 10 internationals.

Team News

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Panama could stick with a back five consisting of Emily Cedeno, Wendy Natis, Yomira Pinzon, Carina Baltrip-Reyes and Katherine Castillo.

Aldrith Quintero dropped down to the bench for the defeat to Jamaica, but the 21-year-old could return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Lineth Cedeno is set to retain her place in the side, and the Sampdoria forward may have the lonely task of leading the line.

As for France, Renard will continue to marshall the backline after shaking off an injury issue to play against Brazil on Saturday.

Eve Perisset, Kenza Dali and Selma Bacha all made their first starts of the tournament, and they are expected to retain their places in the side, with Herve Renard set to name an unchanged lineup.

Le Sommer will feature up front for Les Bleues, and she will be looking to find the net once again after opening her account for the tournament in the win over Brazil.

Panama Women possible starting lineup:
Bailey; E. Cedeno, Natis, Pinzon, Baltrip-Reyes, Castillo; Cox, Gonzalez, Quintero, Tanner; L. Cedeno

France Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Lakrar, Renard, Karchoui; Toletti, Geyoro, Dali; Diani, Bacha, Le Sommer

We say: Panama Women 0-4 France Women

France will go into Wednesday's contest as heavy favourites, and we think that they will showcase the attacking quality that they possess to claim a comfortable victory over Panama.

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