Definition of "slenderness"

England have not beaten their neighbours from across the Channel since 1974 and the slenderness of the scoreline, with the two side’s separated only by Eugénie Le Sommer’s first-half strike, disguises the superiority of a French side now clear favourites to top Group F

2015 June 9, “Women’s World Cup 2015: England beaten by France in Group F opener”, in The Guardian (London)‎