The Group C seeds are still not assured of a place in the quarter-finals after today’s 1-1 draw at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht.

They head into their final group game against Switzerland at the Rat Verlegh Stadion in Breda on Wednesday (July 26) knowing another draw will be enough to qualify.

A loss, however, would see them eliminated.

France, currently ranked third in the world, found themselves against a brick wall-like defence in Utrecht and they struggled to break down the Austrian defence.

Their opponents were rewarded in the 26th minute when a long throw into the penalty area was not dealt with by the French, allowing Lisa Makas to lash home a shot past Sarah Bouhaddi.

Austria held onto the lead until six minutes into the second half when Amandine Henry headed in the ball from an Elise Bussaglia corner.

The French kept applying pressure to their opposition but the Austrians managed to soak it up, with their goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger barely being tested.

Kadidiatou Diani nearly gave France the victory though deep into stoppage time, but the substitute saw her shot just skim past the post.

In today’s other Group C tie, Switzerland came from behind to defeat Iceland 2-1.

Fanndis Friðriksdóttir put Iceland ahead in the 33rd minute, but goals either side of half-time from Lara Dickenmann and Ramona Bachmann saw the Swiss claim victory at De Vijverberg in Doetinchem.