Skipper Wendie Renard headed a late winner as France moved to the top of World Cup Group F with a 2-1 victory over Brazil in Brisbane.

The centre-back, fit to start having been an injury doubt in the build-up to the match, converted in the 83rd minute to restore Les Bleues' lead after record scorer Eugenie Le Sommer's 17th-minute opener had been cancelled out by Debinha just before the hour mark.

Claiming their first win of this summer’s tournament, having been held 0-0 by Jamaica in their opening group game, France leapfrogged Brazil at the top of the pool, a point better off.

France made a bright start to the contest in which Le Sommer saw a header pushed away by Leticia Izidoro.

Four minutes later the 34-year-old forward put her side ahead, nodding past Leticia from Kadidiatou Diani's headed tee-up for her 90th international goal.

Brazil had a great chance to equalise shortly after, but Adriana blazed off-target following good work by Debinha.

Both sides then struggled to create clear opportunities until Brazil hit back in the 58th minute when Kerolin’s pass deflected to Debinha, who controlled the ball and side-footed it past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

As France looked to reply, Leticia pushed a Grace Geyoro shot over and Selma Bacha curled into the side netting, either side of Kerolin flicking off-target at the other end as she met a free-kick.

Brazil were then punished for sloppy marking at a Bacha corner as Renard ran to the back post and sent a header bouncing off the turf and into the net.