Round-up of the international break

LAURINA FAZER / GRACE GEYORO / KADIDIATOU DIANI - FRANCE

It was a tough week for France's women's team and for Paris players Laurina Fazer, Grace Geyoro and Kadidiatou Diani, with two defeats in two friendlies. Les Bleues fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Germany on Friday at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden before a 3-0 loss to Sweden four days later in Gothenburg, with Geyoro and Diani playing the entirety of the first encounter. They also started the second match, with Geyoro coming off at half time and Diani being substituted late on. Having been called up with Les Bleues for the first time in her career, Fazer will have to wait a little longer to earn her first cap.

AMANDA ILESTEDT - SWEDEN

Two friendlies were also on the menu for Sweden and Paris Saint-Germain's Amanda Ilestedt over the international break. The Blågult started with a 1-1 draw with Spain on Friday at the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel in Córdoba before beating Corinna Diacre's players 3-0 four days later at Gamla Ullevi. The Rouge et Bleue no. 14 played the entirety of both matches, distinguishing herself against France by scoring her side's second goal.

JACKIE GROENEN - THE NETHERLANDS

Jackie Groenen's Netherlands also had two friendlies on their agenda over the international break. The first one against Zambia, which was initially set for Thursday at the Rat Verlegh Stadion in Breda, was cancelled due to the Zambians being unable to obtain their visas in time to make it over to Europe. The Oranje Leeuwinnen therefore only played one game, which was against Norway on Tuesday at the ADO Den Haag Stadium in The Hague, losing 2-0. The capital club's no. 24, who was a substitute at kick-off, came into the game on the hour mark.

MARINA GEORGIEVA - AUstria

The qualifying play-offs for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand were what was on the schedule for Austria and Paris Saint-Germain's Marina Georgieva over the international break. The Rot-Weiss-Roten's 1-0 loss to Scotland after extra time in Round 1 at Hampden Park last Thursday meant that they were unable to book their place at the finals. Les Rouge et Bleue's no. 23 played the entirety of the game.

BERGLIND BJÖRG THORVALSDOTTIR - ICELAND

Berglind Björg Thorvaldsdottir's Iceland were also in World Cup qualifying play-off action during the international break. Having qualified directly for Round 2, the Stelpurnar okkar were beaten 4-1 by Portugal after extra time on Tuesday at the Estádio Capital do Móvel in Paços de Ferreira – a defeat that signifies the end of the road to the tournament's finals. The capital club's no. 17 played the entirety of the match.

RAMONA BACHMANN - SWITZERLAND

It was the same schedule for Ramona Bachmann's Switzerland, who had also qualified for Round 2 of 2023 World Cup qualifying. La Nati booked their place at the finals by beating Wales 2-1 at Zurich's Letzigrund, thanks in part to the equaliser from Les Rouge et Bleue's no. 10, who started the match and came off late on.

ASHLEY LAWRENCE - CANADA

Ashley Lawrence's Canada were in Spain for two friendlies during the international break. The Reds recorded two wins, beating Argentina 2-0 at the Estadio El Palmar in Sanlúcar de Barrameda before beating Morcco 4-0 four days later at the Estadio Municipal de Chapín in Jerez de la Frontera. The capital club's left-back took no part in either encounter.

LYDIA WILLIAMS - AUSTRALIA

Australia and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lydia Williams had two friendlies on European soil planned over the international break, again with two wins. The Matildas ran out 4-1 winners against South Africa in London before beating Denmark 3-1 three days later in Viborg. Les Rouge et Bleue's custodian took no part in either game.

ORIANE JEAN-FRANÇOIS - FRANCE U23

Together with U19 striker Manssita Traoré, Paris Saint-Germain's Oriane Jean-François took part in a double header of friendlies against Finland with France's U23s, both of which her side won. Les Bleuettes were 3-1 winners last Wednesday at France's national football centre in Clairefontaine before bagging a 3-2 victory three days later at the Stade Léo Lagrange in Poissy. Having started and been captain both times, Jean-François also came off on the hour mark in both games. Meanwhile, Traoré, who came into the first game at the same time as her teammate was taken off, played the first half of the second encounter.