England v France dwell: Sloppy Lionesses fall to opening Women’s Euro 2025 defeat regardless of frantic end
Holders England suffered a chastening start to their Euro 2025 campaign as France won 2-1 in Zurich to take charge of Group D along with the Netherlands.
In what was always going to be a tough opening game, The Lionesses thought they had made the perfect start to their title defence but Alessia Russo’s 16th-minute rebound was disallowed by VAR after Beth Mead was marginally offside in the build-up.
And England were then stunned by France’s quickfire double before half time, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scoring two goals in four minutes to leave England with a mountain to climb.
Sarina Wiegman appeared to be furious at France’s second, after England appealed for a foul on Russo in the build-up, but the goal survived a VAR review after Baltimore beat Lucy Bronze in the box to fire into the top corner.
Despite failing to threaten France for much of the second half, Keira Walsh pulled one back in the 86th minute to give England some hope. Substitute Michelle Agyemeng came closest to finding an equaliser, but her shot was blocked as France survived a late scare.
England could now find themselves out of the Euros on Wednesday if they lose to the Netherlands and France beat tournament debutants Wales, who lost 3-0 to the Dutch earlier in the day in the other match in Group D.
Ex-England midfielder Izzy Christiansen
“I think fundamentally the pressure is always going to be there for England because of who they are now – defending champions,” Christiansen told BBC 5 Live.
“I know Sarina Wiegman doesn’t like talking too much about that term but there is pressure because there are this many fans that have travelled here, to a very expensive country, to come and watch England.”
The fundamental flaw that led to Euros defeat by France
Sarina Wiegman proclaimed a “new England”, and they have certainly been responsible for a few things previously unseen in the women’s Euros. This 2-1 defeat to France was the first time the defending champions have lost their opening game in the next competition, and it has now put them in real danger of becoming the first champions to go out in the group stage, too. Wednesday’s match against the Netherlands in Zurich is essentially a knockout tie.
Of most concern was something else new about this defeat, that is the real story of how it went. A manager who has previously been flawless in this tournament, winning it twice in a row with 100% records, made her first big error. It is really the first time Wiegman has got it wrong as an England coach. And it was a big one.
Full analysis:
Sarina Wiegman speaks
Wiegman said that the Lionesses had played into France’s hands by trying to play the ball short too often, leading to her side becoming the first reigning Women’s Euro champions to lose their opener at the next tournament.
“We needed to get out of the first press and skip (a player), and that harmed us a bit and they scored goals. At the end we played with four attackers, we really tried to get the goal over the line, but we didn’t,” she told broadcaster ITV.
“When we were out of their press, we were too sloppy. We know that they are really strong on the counter, they are strong players and fast players… we know France are really good, but we caused a little bit our own problems.”
Late clearance off the line
Here’s another look at England’s last throw of the dice which almost brought about a miraculous equaliser:
Leah Williamson speaks
“Tomorrow we [look to] a new game, a different type of opposition (England play Netherlands on Wednesday). We’ll work out what we did today and improve.”
Leah Williamson speaks
“Really frustrating, that’s how we’ll take today, but tomorrow, back on it, and there was some really good stuff there today.”
Leah Williamson speaks
“We lost the game [by] cheap defending one v one. We learnt from those mistakes but on the ball we’re not good enough, we couldn’t keep it in the areas we needed to keep it.”
The reality of defeat for England
If England lose to the Netherlands on Wednesday and France beat Wales, both England and Wales will be out of the Euros before they play each other on Sunday.
It’s that simple.
FULL TIME! England 1-2 France
The France players are celebrating wildly in front of their fans at the far end. They now beating the European champions is a huge scalp.
FULL TIME! England 1-2 France
That was always going to be a very difficult game for England to start the Euros, but that will hurt.
The Lionesses were sloppy for long spells and offered little threat until Keira Walsh came on and Michelle Agyemeng offered some impact.
England huddle together as Weigman leads the team talk but the holders now face a very difficult game against Netherlands back in Zurich on Wednesday.
