France beats Nigeria to top Group A

The initial penalty - awarded after a video assistant referee review for a foul on Viviane Asseyi - hit the post. But keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was ruled to have moved off her line early and Renard slotted the re-taken spot-kick.

Despite losing 1-0, Nigeria still has a big chance of making the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. Group winner France, meanwhile, heads to Le Havre to meet as yet unknown opponent on 23 June.

This was an unconvincing display by Corinne Diacre’s side against a team ranked 38th in the world, with France guilty of wasteful finishing.

However, the France boss was full of praise for Renard, saying: “I’d like to commend the courage Wendie showed. “She had that tenacity to go back to the penalty spot and take that kick.”

Nigeria boss Thomas Dennerby described his players as “heroes” before, when asked about the twice-taken penalty, adding: “If I give you my honest feelings, they’ll probably send me home so it’s better I don’t say anything.”