Amandine Henry’s second-half header rescued a 1-1 draw for title contenders France against women’s European Championship newcomers Austria in the Netherlands on Saturday.
Captain Lara Dickenmann and Ramona Bachmann scored as Switzerland recovered from a goal down to beat Iceland 2-1 in the earlier game.
France and Austria top Group C with four points, one ahead of Switzerland, while Iceland will bow out after the group phase.
France dominated almost the entire game in Utrecht, but it was Austria’s Lisa Makas who scored first in the 27th minute, drilling home from just inside the area the French failed to clear a throw-in.
Henry then slammed in a header from a corner delivered by Elise Bussaglia on 51 minutes.
“I’m frustrated. We deserved to win. I thought Austria didn’t really play, preferring instead to sit back and wait,” said French coach Olivier Echouafni.
“Austria waited and we gave them the chance to score.”
Austrian coach Dominik Thalhammer did not object, saying his team had settled for a “defensive performance.”
“France are a world-class team but we managed to put them under pressure for 15 minutes of the first half and at the end of the second, too.”
Earlier in Doetinchem, Iceland took the lead on 33 minutes through Fanndis Fridriksdottir.
Ten minutes later, Dickenmann fired home a cutback from Bachmann.
Bachmann then scored the winner on 52 minutes after an excellent exchange in midfield, with Noelle Maritz providing the final cross for the Chelsea striker to head home.
France’s midfielder Amandine Henry scores during the Women’s Euro 2017 football tournament between France and Austria.
