The French striker earned an emphatic 4-2 victory over Chile in the 13th-16th place classification game during the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 at Birsa Munda Stadium, Rourkela on Saturday.
While Victor Charlet (two goals in the 17th minute) scored twice, Corte Elliott (13th minute) and Xavier Gaspard (42nd minute) found the net once each for the winning team. Becerra Franco (20′) and Pizarro Andres (53′) scored a goal for Chile.
France were clearly the dominant team from the start. They sealed their authority over the opposition and Corti Elliott opened the team’s account in the 13th minute with a fierce strike from the left wing.
They continued with an increase in the second half and created two chances from the penalty spot (PC) in the 17th minute. Victor Charlet took both chances and turned them into goals to increase the deficit to 3-0. Chile salvaged a goal in the 20th minute as Becerra Franco took the lead on a computer in the 20th minute. The score was 1-3 after the end of the first half.
France continued to lead in the third quarter and got another computer in the 36th minute, but couldn’t take advantage of the chance. Xavier Gaspard came on the board in the 42nd minute to make it 4-1 for them.
In the fourth quarter, Chile showed a brave face to put up a tough fight with the opponent. Pizarro Andrés found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to close the gap to 4-2.
