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Kadidiatou Diani hits hat-trick against Panama as France progress into Women's World Cup last 16

Kadidiatou Diani netted a hat-trick, including two penalties, to lead France to a frenzied victory over debutants Panama and into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup.

Les Bleues, who only needed a draw in the Group F finale, fell behind to Marta Cox's stunning free-kick in the second minute.

However, they dominated the remainder with goals from Diani, Maelle Lakrar, Lea Le Garrec and Vicki Becho, despite playing without captain Wendie Renard and all-time leading scorer Eugenie Le Sommer.

Cox made history by scoring Panama's first-ever Women's World Cup goal - and the quickest at this tournament at 1:07 - with a brilliant 35-yard free-kick that curled into the top corner.

Trailing 5-1, Yomira Pinzon added a second for Panama from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, to the delight of a largely neutral Sydney Football Stadium crowd of 40,498.

Lineth Cedeno pulled one back with a header in the 87th minute, given after a VAR review for a potential offside.