France downs Canada in women's soccer friendly

Eugenie Le Sommer's 34th-minute goal gave France a 1-0 win over Canada in a women's soccer friendly Thursday inBondoufle,France.

The goal came on a beautiful give-and-go with Camille Abily. The ball was passed to Le Sommer, who played it back to Abily and then turned for goal. Abily found her with a pass and the Olympique Lyonnais striker beat goalkeeper Erin MacLeod with a powerful left-footed shot from close range.

Canadian defender Lauren Sesselmann, returning after a 13-month absence due to knee surgery, played the first half for Canada. Jessie Fleming, a 17-year-old midfielder, also played the first 45 minutes.

The game at the Stade Robert-Bodin was played before 11,441.

France, which will host the 2019 Women's World Cup, is ranked third in the world compared to No. 8 for Canada.

The two teams have history.

Diana Matheson's 92nd-minute goal knocked the French off the Olympic podium in 2012, earning Canada the bronze. And the French thumped the Canadians 4-0 at the 2011 World Cup to eliminate them from contention.

Canada has one more game before kicking off the World Cup on June 6 in Edmonton against China. The Canadians host No. 6 England in Hamilton on May 29.

Canadian coach John Herdman will name his World Cup roster on April 27 in Vancouver.