Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s strike secured a 2-1 comeback victory for France against England at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
Katoto netted a 68th minute winner from Kadidiatou Diani’s knockdown headed pass, following two sloppy clearances of a French corner by England.
Beth Mead initially put the Lionesses ahead with a 30th minute strike in their 50th match under manager, Sarina Wiegman.
Elisa de Almeida however equalised for France with a stunning right-footed 41st minute volley from a corner-kick into the box.
France now sit top with a five-point lead ahead of England who slipped out of the second automatic qualification spot on goal difference, after Sweden won 3-0 away to Republic of Ireland through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s brace and Fridolina Rolfo’s effort.
Speaking post-match to ITV, Mead blamed England’s poor set-piece defending for their defeat in a game which she thought they were the stronger team.
“Disappointed, frustrated. I actually thought we were the better team, created more chances. Ultimately we got beat on two set pieces and that’s something we need to look at and rectify.”
Wiegman echoed Mead’s sentiments as she iterated that poor marking was a factor and “somebody needs to be closer.”
She however felt that the defeat was “very unnecessary” having felt that England played well but lacked clinical end product.
“I thought we played well in the big moments of the game and we create many chances and could have scored more than one. We were unfortunate to concede from a corner but we can’t change it. In the second half we controlled most of the game and they weren’t that dangerous, except for the corner.
“I’m really disappointed about that because I think we can do better than that and it was unnecessary. In the end we tried to force a goal but the execution didn’t go well enough.”
With both teams sat top in second and first positions respectively coming into the first of two clashes in four days between the pair, tension was high in a game where neither team could really afford to lose.
England were however dealt a tricky blow in the opening six minutes as Mary Earps suffered a hip injury just 40 seconds into the game, before she eventually came off in the seventh minute and was replaced by Hannah Hampton.
That change didn’t spark much life into a scrappy opening 23 minutes until Ella Toone flicked Lauren Hemp’s cutback pass wide, and Alessia Russo did the same five minutes later as England stepped up their attacking intensity.
Their efforts were rewarded on the half-hour mark as Hemp cut a low cross back across the box from the left flank, only for Stanway to run into a defender which allowed Mead to pounce and rifle in the loose ball to put the hosts ahead.
France however almost immediately got level in the 33rd minute as Maelle Lakrar blasted a header towards the top-right corner, but Hampton made a crucial block to preserve England’s lead.
Herve Renard’s Les Bleues though refused to settle for an one-goal deficit heading into half time and drew level from a 41st minute corner, which found De Almeida to volley into the far-left corner on her right foot beyond Hampton’s reach.
Mead almost restored England’s lead in the third minute of first-half injury-time after she cut in from the right, yet her curled shot was flapped away by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
A fast start to the second half saw Marie-Antoinette Katoto nod wide then Sandie Toletti’s tame shot saved as France dominated the initial opening minutes.
England meanwhile struggled to produce much clinical edge and were eventually punished from a 68th minute set-piece, as a corner was twice sloppily cleared to the edge of the box and ultimately fell for Diani to nod down for Katoto to smash in on the turn to put France in front.
Mead four minutes later nodded wide from Hemp’s cross as England cranked up their intensity, whilst substitute – Chloe Kelly fumbled her shot from a 83rd minute cross.
Renard’s Les Bleues eventually clung on to extend their lead at the top of the group, and will secure their automatic qualification for the finals tournament if they win the reverse fixture at home.
France will now host England in their reverse fixture in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday 4 June at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time).
Teams
England – Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, Jess Carter, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway (Kirby 79′), Ella Toone, Beth Mead (Kelly 79′), Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp
Substitutes: Alex Greenwood, Hannah Hampton, Fran Kirby, Jessica Naz, Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton, Maya Le Tissier, Jess Park, Khiara Keating, Esme Morgan, Millie Turner
France – Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Elisa de Almeida (Perisset 86′), Maelle Lakrar, Wendie Renard, Selma Bacha, Sandie Toletti, Sakina Karchaoui, Delphine Cascarino (Henry 69′), Kenza Dali, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto
Substitutes: Solene Durand, Constance Picaud, Eve Perisset, Estelle Cascarino, Thiniba Samoura, Grace Geyoro, Amandine Henry, Lea Le Garrec, Sandy Baltimore, Ines Benyahia, Julie Dufour, Louna Ribadeira
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