Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 France's Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates scoring their second goal with Amel Majri REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
NICE, France (Reuters) - France took a big step towards the last 16 of the women's World Cup after Eugenie Le Sommer's penalty earned the tournament hosts a 2-1 victory against Norway on Wednesday.
Le Sommer struck from the spot after Wendie Renard's own goal had cancelled out Valerie Gauvin's opener for France at the start of the second half.
The victory put Corinne Diacre's team top of Group A with a maximum six points.
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 France's Eugenie Le Sommer scores their second goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
Norway, the 1995 champions, are second on three points, ahead of Nigeria on goal difference after the African champions won 2-0 against South Korea, who are bottom with no points.
Norway play South Korea in their final encounter while France need a draw against Nigeria in their last group game to advance as group winners.
Norway were on the back foot early on before stepping up a gear after 10 minutes, threatening on the break while the French defence showed signs of nerves.
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 France's Gaetane Thiney in action with Norway's Maria Thorisdottir REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Norway had a clear chance in the 14th minute when Ingrid Engen's header from a corner was deflected over the bar by Amel Majri.
Les Bleues enjoyed more possession and were rewarded for their efforts a minute into the second half when Gauvin, who had started the opening game on the bench, tapped home from Majri's cross.
Yet eight minutes later, Renard deflected Isabell Herlovsen's cross into her own net.
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 Norway's Isabell Herlovsen, Caroline Graham Hansen, Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Maria Thorisdottir celebrate after France's Wendie Renard scored an own goal and Norway's first REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
It was all forgotten in the 72nd minute, however, as France were awarded a penalty following a VAR review after Marion Torrent was kicked in the area by Engen.
Le Sommer coolly converted the spot kick to send the Allianz Riviera stadium into raptures, netting her fifth World Cup goal to equal Marie-Laure Delie as France's all-time top scorer in the tournament.
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 France's Marion Torrent in action with Norway's Isabell Herlovsen REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
(Writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 France coach Corinne Diacre during the match REUTERS/Eric GaillardSoccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 France's Eugenie Le Sommer in action with Norway's Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Isabell Herlovsen REUTERS/Eric GaillardSoccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - France v Norway - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 12, 2019 Norway's Ingrid Syrstad Engen in action with France's Kadidiatou Diani and Amandine Henry REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
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