Wendie Renard was threatening to skip the Women's World Cup and Eugénie Le Sommer wasn't in selection contention just a few months ago under France's previous coaching regime.
A management overhaul and a change of heart ultimately led to two of French football's most experienced players combining for Les Bleues on Saturday to deliver a 2-1 win over Brazil that put them into a strong position to progress to the round of 16.
Le Sommer missed with a diving header in the 13th minute but needed only four more minutes to convert her next chance, beating Brazilian goalkeeper Letícia Izidoro Lima da Silva with a more emphatic header to score her record-extending 90th international goal.
Brazil's Debinha kicks the ball past France's goalkeeper to score their first goal in the Women's World Cup Group F match between France and Brazil, Brisbane, Australia, July 29, 2023.
Debinha, full name Débora Cristiane de Oliveira, equalized for Brazil as the hour approached, and the game opened up as both teams pressed for a winner. That's when Renaud stepped in.
Renard, who'd been in doubt for the match because of a calf injury in France's lackluster opening 0-0 draw against Jamaica, drifted unmarked to the back edge of the box to meet a corner kick with a powerful header in the 83rd and clinch victory.
It meant Hervé Renard, who was hired in March to replace Corinne Diacre, became the first head coach to win games at both the women's and men's World Cups.
His upset victory with Saudi Arabia over eventual champion Argentina was one of the highlights of the men's World Cup in Qatar last year. His French women's team showed signs against Brazil that it could go deep in the tournament.
He credited his veteran players, either recalled or convinced to remain, for the turnaround.
The Brazilian women had never beaten France but started to meet them for intensity as halftime approached, helped by the majority of an almost 50,000-strong crowd.
Debinha equalized in the 58th, finishing off a quick passing movement into the area, controlling a deflected ball with the outside of her leg before firing in a right-foot shot.
France's Eugenie Le Sommer, right, with Kenza Dali after scoring their first goal in the Women's World Cup Group F match between France and Brazil, Brisbane, Australia, July 29, 2023.
Leticia kept Brazil in the game with a string of impressive saves, and Selma Bacha hit the side netting with her shot from the right in the 75th, unable to break the deadlock for France.
After Renard broke the tie, Brazil sent Marta Vieira da Silva in the 86th for her 22nd World Cup appearance — moving her to outright second on the country's all-time list — but she wasn't able to equalize in a frenetic finish.
Brazil is now winless in 12 women's internationals against France, a setback for a team that opened the Women's World Cup with a thumping 4-0 win over Panama, with Ary Borges scoring three goals and providing the back-heel assist for one of the goals of the tournament.
Against a more disciplined defense, the Brazilians weren't able to finish despite creating ample opportunities.