Jamaica holds France to a 0-0 draw in a surprising Women’s World Cup opener #Jamaica #holds #France #draw #surprising #Womens #World #Cup #opener

SYDNEY (AP) — Jamaica produced one of the biggest surprises of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday by holding France to a 0-0 draw.

France’s Kadidiatou Diani struck the bar with a 90th-minute header, but one of the tournament favorites had to settle for a point.

The draw saw Jamaica pick up its first ever point in the competition, despite ending the game with 10 players after Khadija Shaw was sent off in time added on.

Netherlands' Stefanie Van der Gragt, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the Netherlands and Portugal in Dunedin, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Stefanie van der Gragt scored on a header in the 13th minute, leading Netherlands to a 1-0 win over Portugal at the Women’s World Cup as the 2019 finalists began their tournament run.

Brazil's Marta, left, practices footwork with teammates during warm up in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made the historic declaration that all public servants can take time off work during Brazil's World Cup matches and encouraged private businesses to allow the same. (AP Photo/Aisha Schulz)

Brazil starts its ninth appearance in the Women’s World Cup trying to remain undefeated in opening matches.

Sweden's Elin Rubensson, right, and South Africa's Jermaine Seoposenwe compete for the ball during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)

Amanda Ilestedt scored in the 89th minute to give Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in its Group G opener at the Women’s World Cup Sunday.

Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina, left, and Fatima Gharbi walk around the ground during a familiarization tour ahead of their Women's World Cup Group H match against Germany in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. When Benzina steps onto the pitch Monday evening, she will be first player to compete in a senior-level FIFA Women's World Cup wearing a hijab. (AP Photo/Victoria Adkins)

Nouhaila Benzina will make history when she steps onto the field for Morocco’s first match of the Women’s World Cup against Germany — and not just as a player for the first Arab or North African nation ever in the tournament.

In a game of few chances, Diani had France’s best opportunities to score a winner, but could not find a breakthrough at the Sydney Football Stadium.

She forced a save from Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer in the first half and saw another effort deflected wide.

Another header in the second half also went wide of the target before her late effort came back off the bar.

France, a quarterfinalist in 2019, is ranked fifth in the world, while Jamaica is 43rd and went into the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand having lost all three of its previous World Cup matches.