England’s EURO defence off to the worst possible start with defeat to France | OneFootball

England’s UEFA Women’s EURO trophy defence got off to the worst possible start with the Lionesses going to 2-1 to France in Zürich this evening.

Sarina Wiegman’s side’s Group D opener always looked set to be a tough contest and in the end, England were taught a harsh lesson by a much-superior French side.

England started brightly and Lauren James fired an early effort over. The Lionesses then thought that they’d broken the deadlock when Lauren Hemp’s shot was saved by French keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and Alessia Russo fired in the rebound, however, VAR harshly ruled that an offside had been committed in the build-up.

France woke up after a sluggish start and Sakina Karchaoui lobbed England keeper Hannah Hampton but she could only find the side-netting. That moment was a warning of what was to come with Marie-Antoinette Katoto tapping in the opener from a low cross.

It got worse for England two minutes later when Sandy Baltimore saw-off two defenders before expertly picking out the top corner of the net.

The Lionesses had to make more of the second half, however, it was the French who were again much more composed. Élisa de Almeida went close to making it three when she fired into the side-netting before Grace Geyoro found herself in on goal but she couldn’t beat Hampton.

Chances were few and far between in the final half-hour. England looked short of ideas in attack while France expertly banked up to stifle the Lionesses’ attacking moves.

England eventually got a goal back three minutes from time when a corner was only cleared as far as Keira Walsh and she curled the ball home.

The Lionesses pushed for an unlikely equaliser at the death but it wasn’t to be as France claimed a crucial three points.

England will now turn their attention towards their second group match against The Netherlands on Wednesday. France will play Wales on the same evening.