France bounce back at women's World Cup

Jun 18, 2015 - 12:04 AM France and England have joined Australia in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with wins on Wednesday as Colombia booked their spot as one of the best third-placed finishers.

Third-ranked France bounced back from a shock defeat to Colombia by whipping Mexico 5-0 in Ottawa to finish top of Group F with six points.

England, also on six points, but behind France on goal difference, beat Colombia 2-1 in Montreal and advance second from the group.

The 28th-ranked South Americans advanced past the group stage for the first time with four points from three games but 15th-ranked Mexico are on their way home with one point.

"We made things difficult for ourselves by losing against Colombia," admitted France coach Philippe Bergeroo of their 2-0 defeat which was one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's 24-year history.

"A loss today would have sent us home. We've achieved our first objective, we can breathe a bit easier now."

France are bidding for their first title after finishing fourth in Germany in 2011 and also at the 2012 Olympics.

France's Marie Laure Delie scored after just 34 seconds in an early goal blitz that saw Eugenie Le Sommer net a double and an own goal by Mexican defender Jennifer Ruiz.

With 10 minutes to go, Amandine Henry scored a spectacular goal from 25 yards out.

"We were favourites but I've enough experience to know that things can go terribly wrong in football," said Bergeroo.

"We've a lot of humility because France have never won anything. We've simply closed the gap on the best."

France next meet the second-place finisher from Group E - Costa Rica, Spain or South Korea - who play their final group games later Wednesday.

Brazil are already assured of finishing top of Group E ahead of their final game against Costa Rica and meet Australia who finished second behind the United States in Group D, dubbed the Group of Death.

England, meanwhile, set up a meeting with 1995 champions Norway in Ottawa on Monday.

Goals from Karen Carney (15) and a Fara Williams 38th minute penalty put England ahead before Lady Andrade snatched one back four minutes into injury time.

Source: AAP