France have advanced to the semi-finals of the Olympics with a 2-1 win over Sweden at Hampden Park.
It was the French who made the stronger start to proceedings, with Sandrine Soubeyrand forcing a host of early corners for the favourites.
The first real chance of the match arrived after 10 minutes when Marie-Laure Delie struck from inside the box, but Hedvig Lindahl was on hand to palm the danger clear.
A big mix-up in France's defence almost brought the first goal for Sweden after 15 minutes, but Lotta Schelin collided with Sarah Bouhaddi in the area.
Disappointment turned to joy within moments, however, as Nilla Fischer shouldered the ball home after 18 minutes to send Sweden into the lead.
The equaliser for France came 10 minutes later when Laura Georges headed a corner into the back of the net thanks to poor goalkeeping from Lindahl.
Both sides had chances in the latter stages of the half, but it was France who secured the half-time lead as Wendie Renard thumped home from inside the box.
Chances remained few and far between in the early stages of the second period, with Linda Sembrant firing an early chance for Sweden over the crossbar.
However, France continued to play the better football as the hour mark approached, with Gaetane Thiney firing two chances wide of the target.
The French continued to enjoy the possession as the match developed, but Sara Thunebro tested Bouhaddi with an effort after 70 minutes.
The match exploded into life after 73 minutes when Necib missed a clear chance for France, while Fischer was denied by a smart save from Bouhaddi down the other end.
France might have tied it up late on when Camille Abily and Necib combined inside the area, but the danger was cleared.
They were not made to rue their missed chances, however, with the match finishing 2-1 to France.
Matt Law
