France vs England LIVE: Women's Euro 2025 result, latest updates and reaction after Lionesses well beaten | OneFootball

Lionesses fall short in their first test of the summer

The Lionesses’ Euros title defence got off to a dreadful start on Saturday night as they were played off the park by France, falling to a 2-1 defeat in Zurich. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore scored three minutes apart to hand France a commanding lead at the half, and Les Bleus were unlucky not to add more in the second half, though they did enough to cancel out Keira Walsh’s late consolation.

The final score flattered England. France lacked a clinical edge throughout the tie, and could, or rather should, have scored several more than they did. It was a rude awakening for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who appeared to be in good spirits and on fine form after beating Jamaica 7-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.

But that result turned out to be mere paper over cracks. The Lionesses endured a fraught training camp before flying to Switzerland, marred by the international retirements of the long-serving Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, while Chelsea’s Millie Bright also made herself unavailable. As French goals began to fly in Zurich, England were crying out for their big game nous.