England’s defence of their European title got off to a damaging start with defeat by France in their heavyweight group-stage clash in Zurich.
Widely considered England’s toughest match of Group D, this was always going to be a test for Sarina Wiegman’s side – and they were not up to the task.
Despite a strong few minutes at the start and a sprinkling of magic from Chelsea forward Lauren James – fit enough to make the starting XI – the Lionesses struggled to trouble France for large parts of their Euro 2025 opener.
They thought they had taken the lead when Alessia Russo fired in a rebound from Lauren Hemp’s saved shot, but it was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) for an offside against Beth Mead in the build-up.
From that moment on, it was all France, and they deservedly took the lead through Marie-Antoinette Katoto, poking home from close range after 36 minutes.
Chelsea forward Sandy Baltimore doubled the lead three minutes later and England looked unlikely to recover until a late lifeline when Keira Walsh’s excellent 87th-minute long-range strike sailed into the top corner.
Rallied by Walsh’s second international goal in 88 matches, the Lionesses put late pressure on France in stoppage-time, but could not find a crucial equaliser.
