England v France live: Sloppy Lionesses fall to opening Women’s Euro 2025 defeat despite frantic finish | OneFootball

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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.”

Lawrence Ostlere5 July 2025 23:17

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:

The fundamental flaw in England’s team that led to Euro 2025 defeat by France

France 2-1 England: The Lionesses were repeatedly ripped open in their first match of Euro 2025 and must now beat Netherlands to keep their trophy defence alive

Miguel Delaney in Zurich5 July 2025 22:58

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.”

Lawrence Ostlere5 July 2025 22:15