Defender Laura Georges scored a goal and assisted on the game-winner to lift France to a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the Quarterfinals of the 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament. Georges, not previously known for her prolific goalscoring, has found the net twice over the last three Olympic games -- both times while playing in Glasgow.
On Friday, the 27-year-old emerged as the key figure in Les Bleues' quarter-final against Sweden, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead by heading home a poacher's first before laying on the second for fellow centre-half Wendie Renard.
With her other goal, the opener in a 5-0 win over Korea DPR, also having come at Hampden Park, her only regret is that France must head south for their semi-final with Japan. She said: "The pitch is fantastic, the stadium is beautiful and, look, I scored two goals here. I love this place! Trust me, it doesn't happen too often that I score and get an assist in one match."
France advances to the semifinals and is now one win away from medaling.
[Edit: Highlights here -- http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/soccer/soccer-highlights-france-advances-to-womens-soccer-semifinals.html]
France will face World Cup winners Japan at Wembley in the semifinals. Japan defeated Brazil 2-0 to advance in the knockout stage. In the other semifinal, the United States advances to take on Canada, a 2-0 surprise winner over Great Britain. With a victory over Japan, France would advance to the Gold Medal game on August 9 at Wembley. A loss would send Les Bleues to the Bronze Medal game at City of Coventry Stadium.
2012 Olympic Women's Football Tournament
(G2) France vs. (F2) Japan - August 6, 5 PM, Wembley Stadium, London
(F3) Canada vs. (G1) United States - August 6, 7:45 PM, Old Trafford, Manchester
Bronze Medal Match - August 9, 1 PM, City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry
Gold Medal Match - August 9, 7:45 PM, Wembley Stadium, London