France entered its Women's World Cup opener against Jamaica considered a mortal lock to start the tournament 1-0. Oddsmakers had France listed as a -6000 favorite, meaning you had to bet $6,000 to take home a measly $100.
Well, that's why they play the game.
Jamaica scratched and clawed its way to a 0-0 draw on Sunday, a shocking result that could put France's positioning in the group stage in jeopardy.
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer1 game down and 1 point each 💪<br><br>France and Jamaica ends in a draw after a hard-fought match 😤🇫🇷🇯🇲 <a href="">
The result is nothing short of a nightmare for France, which dominated possession for 72 percent of the match and took 14 shots on goal but could not find the back of the net against a determined Jamaican defense.
The draw marks the first-ever World Cup point for Jamaica, which entered the event ranked 43rd in the FIFA standings.
B/R Football @brfootballJamaica were hyped after earning a draw and clean sheet against France 💥 <a href="">
Official J.F.F @jff_footballIt might have been tough, but it was BEAUTIFUL! 👏🏿<br><br>A World Cup match to remember as we secure our first-ever points with a draw against France to start our campaign! 🙌🏿<br>.<a href="">#ReggaeGirlz</a> <a href="">#FIFAWWC</a> <a href="">#FIFAWomensWorldCup</a> <a href="">#BeyondGreatness</a> <a href="">#JFF_Football</a> <a href="">
Men in Blazers @MenInBlazersJAMAICA GET FIRST EVER WORLD CUP POINT WITH 0-0 DRAW AGAINST POWERHOUSE FRANCE 🇯🇲 What a tenacity-imbued performance from this Reggae Girlz team. A squad who had to start GoFund Me efforts to help pay to get them there. Today they went toe-to-toe with one of the best in the 🌎. <a href="">
Giovannie Brady @gio_talks_sportTo give this result some perspective, according to <a href="">@OptaAnalyst</a> this the first time France (ranked 5th in the world) has been held goal less at a Women's World Cup<br><br>#43 ranked 🇯🇲 Reggae Girls did that. <br><br>Despite all the challenges the Reggae Girls endured<br><br>OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE <a href="">
Richard Pandohie @RichardPandohieBIG up <a href="">#ReggaeGirlz</a> we no watch ranking…holding France to a draw for Jamaica 🇯🇲 first ever point in women's World Cup…in front of 40,000 fans…goose bumps
Kevin Hatchard 🎙⚽️ @kevinhatchardDoes seem like the gap between the big hitters at <a href="">#FIFAWWC</a> and the rest has closed significantly. Sweden scraped a win against South Africa, France held by Jamaica, England edged out Haiti, Canada held by Nigeria, USA made to work hard by Vietnam.
Still, the result was not without disappointment. Jamaican star Khadija Shaw, who spent most of the match giving France fits with her physicality, was sent off with a controversial call in stoppage time after earning her second yellow card. As a result, Shaw will have to sit out Saturday's match against Panama.
🔗 @GideoomaticKhadija Shaw we haven't seen talent like this in a long long time
Solace Chukwu @TheOddSolaceKhadija Shaw sent off. That's a very poor call by the referee, and a potentially damaging one down the line for a Jamaica side that have impressed today. <a href="">#FIFAWWC</a>
DanDesigns✍🏻 @dandesignsgbKhadija Shaw has been done dirty there. Not even a foul, never mind a red! <a href="">#FIFAWWC</a>
Despite the loss of Shaw, it's impossible for Jamaica to feel anything less than joyful following this result. The team needed crowdfunding to even make the trip to the World Cup and was widely expected to be bounced from the group stage without even making a peep.
Instead, Jamaica will now have an outside shot at reaching the knockout round. A win over Panama next weekend would put the underdog into a potential win-or-go-home match against Brazil, which kicks off its tournament Monday against Panama.
As for France, the Group F favorite will now have to scramble if it hopes to come away with a group victory.
