Premiere Ligue Women The new season is in full swing! The opening round of France’s Division 1 Féminine delivered exactly what the fans were hoping for: goals, emotions, and surprises. The promoted teams, Lens and Olympique Marseille, immediately made their presence felt: one held mighty PSG to a draw, the other scored against Lyon. Paris FC and Lyon started the campaign with confident victories, while Fleury showed character by winning away in dramatic fashion. Nantes proved they can dig themselves out of trouble, and Le Havre vs. Strasbourg turned into a real rollercoaster for the fans.
The first round of matches makes it clear: this season no points are guaranteed, and the battle for every inch of the pitch begins with the opening whistle.
Le Havre – Strasbourg 2:2
Goals:
1:0 – Chancelle Effa Effa (11’)
1:1 – Inès Konan (13’)
2:1 – Zoé Stievenart (45’)
2:2 – Mama Diop (20’)
The game exploded with emotions in the opening quarter of an hour. Effa Effa opened the scoring for Le Havre, but Strasbourg hit back immediately, with Konan capitalizing on a defensive mistake. Before halftime Stievenart restored the hosts’ lead, but already in the 20th minute (still in the first half) Diop surprised the keeper to level things again. The match was full of tempo, pressing, and duels, a draw that leaves neither side disappointed.
Montpellier – Fleury 1:2
Goals:
0:1 – Aïssata Traoré (14’)
1:1 – Nina Ngueleu (58’)
1:2 – Aïssata Traoré (90’+1)
Fleury started bravely and quickly took the lead through Traoré. Montpellier tried to take control and after the break managed to equalize with Ngueleu’s goal. But in stoppage time, Traoré struck again, snatching the win and depriving the hosts of a point. Fleury return home with a precious victory.
Nantes – Saint-Étienne 2:1
Goals:
0:1 – Rachel Corboz (4’)
1:1 – Caitlin Cosme (29’)
2:1 – Léa Khelifi (37’)
Saint-Étienne started with a bang, Corboz scoring in the 4th minute to spark joy among the away fans. Nantes did not crumble, instead gradually building momentum. Cosme equalized in the 29th minute, and just before halftime Khelifi gave the hosts the lead. In the second half, Saint-Étienne pressed hard, but Nantes’ defense stood firm. A valuable three points for a team playing its second consecutive season in the top flight, showing they can fight anyone.
Paris FC – Dijon 2:0
Goals:
1:0 – Lorena Azzaro (25’)
2:0 – Lorena Azzaro (52’)
Paris FC came in as clear favorites and did not disappoint. Lorena Azzaro’s excellent form decided the outcome, her brace setting the tone of the match. Dijon tried to counterattack, but couldn’t find a way past a well-organized defense. Paris FC looked very composed, and this 2:0 victory shows the team has ambitions to challenge for the top places.
Lens – Paris Saint-Germain 1:1
Goals:
0:1 – Merveille Kanjinga (25’)
1:1 – Sherly Jeudy (84’)
A big crowd filled the Stade Bollaert-Delelis to watch Lens’ top-flight debut. PSG took the lead as expected through Kanjinga, and for a long time it looked like they would comfortably hold on for the win. But the newcomers didn’t give up, and late in the match Jeudy scored a stunning equalizer. The 1:1 draw is a huge success for Lens and a warning sign for PSG – dropping points already on opening day.
Lyon – Olympique Marseille 3:1
Goals:
1:0 – Ada Hegerberg (32’)
2:0 – Liana Joseph (58’)
3:0 – Lily Yohannes (63’)
3:1 – Mathilde Bourdieu (90’+1)
The French champions began their season in dominant fashion. Hegerberg opened the scoring in the first half, and after the break Lyon accelerated, netting twice in quick succession. Marseille, the other promoted side, stood little chance against the giants, but salvaged some pride with Bourdieu’s stoppage-time goal. Lyon send a clear message right away: they intend to control the league from start to finish.
