England’s title defence at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 started with a 2-1 loss to France in Group D.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired France ahead from a 36th-minute low cross by Delphine Cascarino, before Sandy Baltimore curled in their second from a loose touch by England’s Lucy Bronze.
England’s consolatory effort came from an 87th-minute corner curled in on the rebound by Keira Walsh as they became the first reigning champion to lose their opening group match in the Women’s Euro.
France sit second in Group D after Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th goal to fire Netherlands top of the group with a 3-0 win over Wales, with Victoria Pelova and Esmee Brugts also on the scoresheet.
Stuck in the group of death, both teams knew that a positive start to their campaign was imperative and it was England who made the better start, but Lauren James could only fire over the bar just 40 seconds into the game.
England’s aggressive attacking press continued to prove problematic as Alessia Russo missed a potential fourth-minute header opportunity from James’ cross.
That pressure eventually told on the French in the 16th mead after James was allowed to play an one-two move with Beth Mead, but her shot was parried away by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin for Russo to bundle in on the rebound.
Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) however decided to intervene and disallowed the goal due to an offside from Mead in the build-up.
That scare sparked France into life and Sakina Karchaoui put two shots wide midway through the first half as the 2022 semi-finalists began to find their feet in that match..
England failed to heed those warnings defensively and were ultimately undone by a 36th-minute move up their left flank, which left Cascarino free to whip in a low cross, which Katoto calmly turned in unmarked by Leah Williamson to put France in front.
France needed just three minutes to double their lead as Maelle Lakrar fouled Russo which led the ball to fall for Baltimore, who side-stepped a stumbling Bronze and pounced upon her touch to curl the French’s second goal into the top-right corner to double their lead at half-time.
Any hope of an England comeback were almost extinguished just seven minutes into the second half as Elisa De Almeida put her shot into the side-netting.
Grace Geyoro then saw a shot two minutes later saved on the line by Hannah Hampton as France continued to terrorise England’s defence, with Karchaoui’s 59th-minute shot saved by Hampton.
France however could of been reduced to 11 women in the 68th minute after Karchaoui launched a reckless high-studded challenge on Williamson, yet referee – Tess Olofsson turned a blind eye to the clear potential red card offence.
England eventually found late wind and substitute, Ella Toone won a 86th-minute as her shot was deflected wide, from which the set-piece delivery was blocked out for Walsh to curl into the top-right corner on the rebound to reduce their deficit.
France ultimately clung on to survive five minutes of injury-time to start their campaign with a win, which left England needing to beat or draw against Netherlands on 9 July to avoid an early exit.
“Not good enough”
England captain, Leah Williamson criticised her team’s performance in a post-match interview on ITV as she explained the game was lost defensively in one-vs-one duels.
“We lost the game poor defending one v one. We learnt from those mistakes in fairness. Not good enough with the ball, we weren’t good enough. We got better and took advantage of that but not enough in the end.
“Sometimes it happens. The positive is I’ve not seen us like in terms of turning over the ball so much for a while now. Tomorrow, back on it and there were some really good stuff towards the end.
“When you lose it and you’re that expansive, it is tough. We hold ourselves to higher standards in our individual battles.”
Williamson also admitted that the whole squad need to take responsibility for their actions in this match and vowed to reset for the game against Netherlands.
“Everyone take responsibly for themselves and have a look. Tomorrow we have new gameplan. Different places available and different opposition.”
What’s Next?
France face Wales on Wednesday 9 July in St Gallen at 9pm CEST (8pm BST), before concluding their group campaign against Netherlands at St-Jakob’s Park, Basel on 13 July at 9pm CEST.
England face a tricky second Group D match against Wiegman’s home country, Netherlands, on the same date at 6pm CEST (5pm BST) at Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, ahead of their concluding group clash against Wales in St Gallen on 13 July at 9pm (8pm BST).
Teams
France: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Elisa De Almeida (N’Dongala 80′), Maelle Lakrar, Alice Sombath, Selma Bacha, Grace Geyoro, Oriane Jean-Francois, Sakina Karchaoui (Toletti 80′), Delphine Cascarino (Diani 62′), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Mateo 62′), Sandy Baltimore (Malard 62′)
Substitutes: Justine Lerond, Constance Picaud, Thiniba Samoura, Sandie Toletti, Melvine Malard, Amel Majri, Kadidiatou Diani, Clara Mateo, Kelly Gago, Melween N’Dongala, Griedge Mbock, Lou Bogaert
England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood (Agyemang 86′), Leah Williamson, Jess Carter (Charles 60′), Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway (Clinton 77′), Beth Mead (Kelly 60′), Lauren James (Toone 60′), Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo
Substitutes: Niamh Charles, Ella Toone, Maya Le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse, Grace Clinton, Esme Morgan, Michelle Agyemang, Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Jess Park, Khiara Keating, Lotte Wubben-Moy
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