Euro 2025: Alice Sombath & Thiniba Samoura fill Wendie Renard gap

When Wendie Renard was left out of the France squad for Euro 2025, it sent shockwaves through women’s football.

After all, the 34-year-old centre-back was the country’s captain and had a wealth of experience from 168 international caps and a highly decorated club career with Lyon.

“She is one of the best defenders in the world,” said Syanie Dalmat, a reporter for French sports newspaper L’Equipe.

“Even if she had some injuries, she was always good on the pitch when she played – so the decision was not easy to understand.”

Instead of Renard, France manager Laurent Bonadei chose to bring four centre-backs who, before the Euros, had made 133 appearances for their country between them.

However, his plan seems to be paying off in Switzerland as France topped Group D – widely considered the most difficult of the pools – to establish themselves as serious title contenders as they search for a maiden major trophy.

Two 21-year-olds – Thiniba Samoura and Alice Sombath – have flourished in Renard’s absence, making their mark in the group stage as the more experienced Griedge Mbock and Maelle Lakrar missed out because of injuries.

“It is their first big competition and I think they’ve done a very good job. Even if the French conceded a goal in each game, I think there is satisfaction in the defence,” Dalmat said.

But with Mbock and Lakrar both fit again, who will Bonadei choose for France’s quarter-final against Germany?