Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
On Friday, July 25, the women's football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris commences. The host nation, France, will face Colombia. The match will kick off at 21:00 Central European Time, and Dailysports experts have prepared a forecast for this game.
France
As the host nation of the current Olympics, France is one of the oldest national teams in Europe and the world. However, the team has not been particularly successful. Their best achievements over the years include bronze medals at the 2022 European Championship, a semifinal appearance at the 2011 World Cup, and fourth place at the 2012 Olympics. The French team did not even qualify for the last Olympics. In the most recent World Cup, Les Bleues reached the quarterfinals, where they were eliminated by the host nation, Australia.
Before these Olympic Games, France played two matches in the qualification for the 2025 European Championship. Les Bleues defeated Sweden 2-1 but lost to Ireland 1-3. Nevertheless, the team managed to qualify for the tournament and will compete in Euro 2025.
Last year, France appointed Hervé Renard as their head coach. Renard has a successful track record with national teams. He has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice: in 2011 with Zambia and in 2015 with Côte d'Ivoire. He also performed well with Morocco, leading them to the 2018 World Cup, and with Saudi Arabia, which he guided to the 2022 World Cup and a stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina in the first round.
Colombia
One of the strongest national teams in South America, Colombia is the third country from the continent to qualify for both the Olympics and the World Cup, after Brazil and Argentina. The team has had respectable results in the Copa América, finishing as runners-up twice, winning bronze once, and securing fourth place once. Colombia has participated in the Olympics twice, in 2008 and 2012, failing to advance from the group stage and finishing 11th both times.
The team has also competed in three World Cups, with their best result being a quarterfinal appearance in 2023, where they lost 1-2 to England. Before the Olympics, Colombia played two friendly matches: they lost to Ecuador 1-2 and drew with Japan 1-1.
Interesting facts abot the match and head-to-head history
- France and Colombia last played each other in 2023, with Les Bleues winning 5-2.
- France and Colombia have faced each other four times, with Les Bleues winning three times and Colombia once.
- France has won 13 of their last 18 matches. France has won 7 of their last 9 home matches.
- None of Colombia's last 9 matches have ended in a draw.
France vs Colombia prediction
France, playing at their home Olympics, will undoubtedly want to start the tournament on a strong note. Les Bleues have a good record against Colombia and have shown decent results in recent tournaments. My bet is on France's individual total of more than two goals with odds of 1.5.
