Le Sommer beats Pichon's record
With 82 goals, Eugénie Le Sommer breaks the record for goals scored in the French women's team, surpassing Marinette Pichon's 81.
By scoring Les Bleues' first two goals against Northern Macedonia this evening in Skopje (7-0), during the Euro 2022 qualifiers, Eugénie Le Sommer set a new record in the history of the French Women's Team.
The tricolour striker thus joined and then surpassed, in the space of four minutes (14th and 18th from the penalty spot), former player Marinette Pichon and her 81 goals (in 112 caps), a record that had been held since August 29, 2006 (France-Canada 2-2).
While she celebrated her 172nd cap, the 31-year-old Lyonnaise, captain of Les Bleues in the absence of Amandine Henry, now has 82 goals to her credit. She scored her first international goal on March 5th, 2009 against Scotland (2-0, Cyprus Tournament) in her second appearance for the national team.
Top 5 scorers
1- Eugénie Le Sommer, 82 (average 0.47/match)
2- Marinette Pichon, 81 (0.72)
3- Marie-Laure Delie, 65 (0.53)
4- Gaëtane Thiney, 58 (0.37)
5- Camille Abily, 37 (0.20)
For FFF.FR, Eugénie Le Sommer evokes this record and opens the book of memories.
LE RECORD
"Pride! »
"A record under the blue jersey is not a small thing, it's a source of pride. First, because I'm not a top striker! I've played little, if any, in the middle unlike Marinette Pichon. Secondly, because I know her. She left her mark on a whole generation, through her career in the championship and on the national team. She has been a model for many. We have discussed the subject several times and she confided in me that she hoped I would surpass her record. »
HIS RECORD GOALS
"More emotion on the second one”
"The first is a free kick, an action we had worked on before the match with the idea of trying to frame the shot at the far post so that, even if nobody touches it, it can go to the bottom. It worked and I'm very happy with it. The second was a penalty shot from the right and it made me smile. I was more emotional on the second one because it was the record breaker. But I was happy with the first one anyway and I am proud today to have beaten this record, even if it is not an end. I was told about it as soon as I scored my sixtieth goal, so of course I am happy. I am a striker; I like to score but the most important thing is to qualify for the Euro. »
CELEBRATION
"Le M de Marinette" (The M of Marinette)
"I did the M in Marinette. I was thinking of her, she sent me messages, we've been talking about it for a long time. She told me that she was proud that I was the one who beat this record, so I am proud too. She was a great player; I know what it means to beat her record. She achieved it in fewer games than I did, but I'm happy and I'll say hello.
HER FISRT GOAL
“I remember the Marseillaise and then this dream that came true".
"It was during my second match with Les Bleues against Scotland during the 2009 Cyprus Tournament (2-0). I remember the emotion when the Marseillaise played and then the dream that came true when she scored. Although internally I was happy, on the pitch I didn't really express my joy. It was both out of modesty and because I arrived in a group where I was the youngest. I couldn't see myself getting excited about my first goal! The girls all congratulated me, they were happy for me. It's a memory that you never forget. »
HER TOP 5
" In Lorient, facing the United States, I improvised a Breton dance ".
"In terms of the beauty of the move, there was the one against New Zealand in 2014 (2-1), where I took the ball back after a chest control. I would like to mention the two goals I scored against Iceland (4-0, 4 October, a lob and a header). In terms of importance, that of the 2015 World Cup against England (1-0) is apart. This was our first match in the competition, and we won it thanks to this single goal. Finally, there is one that I consider symbolic. It was in 2015 in Lorient, against the United States (photo above). We won (2-0), which hadn't happened since 1992, and I opened the score. This match took place at my home in Brittany, it was a very special moment. I was thinking of all my loved ones present in the stands. It warmed my heart. After the goal, I turned to them and I improvised a little Breton dance! »