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England vs France: Wiegman Confident for Euro 2025 Opener

England vs France will set the tone for the entire Women’s Euro 2025 finals, and Sarina Wiegman insists her Lionesses are “fully prepared” to launch a successful title defence in Saint-Étienne on Friday night.

England vs France Headlines a Blockbuster Group Stage

The draw served up the sort of heavyweight clash usually reserved for the latter rounds. England, reigning European champions after their triumphant run on home soil in 2022, face a France side revitalised under Hervé Renard. Wiegman’s squad flew to France earlier this week, completing a closed-door session at St George’s Park before making the short hop across the Channel. “We wanted the players to visualise the atmosphere,” Wiegman revealed. “This is a tough opener, but we believe in our plan.”

Primary Focus: Why England vs France Matters More Than Three Points

For Wiegman, maintaining momentum is crucial. A first-match victory would instantly silence doubts created by an uneven qualifying campaign and establish psychological dominance over a fellow contender. Conversely, France are desperate to shed their nearly-team tag after a quarter-final exit at Euro 2022 and a heart-breaking World Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Australia last summer. The meeting is therefore loaded with subplots that could echo deep into July.

Team News: Lionesses Boast Near-Full Strength Squad

England welcome back key defender Leah Williamson after a year-long ACL recovery, while Keira Walsh has shaken off an ankle knock. Lauren James is tipped to start on the left of a front three, with Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo completing the attack. France counter with captain Wendie Renard marshalling a back line that blends experience and youthful exuberance in the form of Selma Bacha and Maëlle Lakrar. Top scorer Kadidiatou Diani leads the line, supported by the creative Grace Geyoro.

Tactical Breakdown: Midfield Battle Could Decide England vs France

Wiegman is expected to deploy her trusted 4-3-3, asking Georgia Stanway to protect the back four and free Walsh to dictate tempo. France favour a 4-2-3-1, and if Geyoro pockets space between the lines, England may be forced to drop Stanway deeper. The width offered by James and Kelly will test France’s full-backs, but inverting Bacha could overload Stanway and Williamson. Set pieces, always a Wiegman strength, may again prove decisive; England scored four of their 13 Euro 2022 goals from restarts.

Historical Context: A Rivalry Tilting England’s Way

England vs France has flipped dramatically in recent years. From 1973 to 2017, France went 43 years unbeaten against the Lionesses in competitive fixtures. The curse broke in 2017 when Jodie Taylor’s finish at Euro 2017 quarter-finals secured a seismic 1-0 win. Since Wiegman’s arrival in 2021, England hold a slender 2-1 edge, including a 2-0 friendly victory in April 2023 when Russo and Hemp found the net at the Stadium of Light.

Key Quotes: Wiegman Talks Mental Edge

“The pressure of being champions is a privilege,” Wiegman told reporters. “We focus on performance, not the trophy. If we perform, the trophy follows.” Captain Williamson echoed those words: “We respect France, but we don’t fear anyone. Our standard is non-negotiable.” Renard fired back in typically steely fashion: “England vs France brings out the best in us. We owe our supporters a statement.”

Road to Euro 2025: How Both Nations Qualified

France breezed through Group B, dropping only two points and scoring 28 goals while conceding just three. England had a trickier path in Group D, requiring a final-day victory in Leuven to leapfrog Belgium. Wiegman rotated heavily during qualifying to expand her talent pool; that calculated gamble now offers depth should injuries strike.

Players to Watch

  • Lauren James (England) – A creator and scorer who can decide tight matches with one moment of ingenuity.
  • Kadidiatou Diani (France) – Lightning pace and lethal finishing; England must track her diagonal runs.
  • Keira Walsh (England) – The metronome; if she controls rhythm, France could be chasing shadows.
  • Selma Bacha (France) – Provides width, crosses and a fierce shot from distance.

What a Win or Loss Means for Each Side

A triumphant start would all but guarantee England top spot, allowing Wiegman to rotate in subsequent group games and manage minutes. Defeat would ratchet up pressure ahead of clashes with Norway and Austria. For France, victory offers redemption after previous tournament heartbreaks, while a defeat might destabilise a squad still adapting to Renard’s methods.

Fan Perspective and Atmosphere

Over 35,000 tickets have been sold at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. English supporters are travelling in impressive numbers despite the weekday kick-off, echoing the passionate scenes of Euro 2022. Local authorities have designated fan zones in the city centre, with giant screens and live music building anticipation.

England vs France Predictions and Odds

Bookmakers currently make England slight favourites at 6/4, with France priced 9/5 and the draw 2/1. Many analysts expect a cagey first half, exploding into life once legs tire and spaces open. A 2-1 England win is the most popular scoreline among pundits, but few would be shocked by late French drama.

The Bigger Picture: Defending the Crown

Wiegman is chasing history. No manager has ever retained the Women’s Euro title with different squads. Her blueprint—clarity, discipline, and trust—has transformed England into serial contenders. Yet, as she readily admits, “football moves fast.” Spain’s rise, Germany’s resurgence, and France’s natural talent compress the margins at the top. England vs France therefore doubles as an early benchmark for where the holders truly stand.

Broadcast Information

The match kicks off at 20:00 local time (19:00 BST) and will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK, TF1 in France, and covered globally via UEFA’s digital platforms.

Sarina Wiegman’s Final Rallying Cry

Moments before boarding the team bus, Wiegman delivered a succinct message: “Be brave. Play forward. Stay together.” Those words encapsulate what England vs France is all about—courage on the ball, ambition off it, and collective belief to overcome whatever challenge emerges under the floodlights.

Opinion: As opening-night fixtures go, it rarely gets bigger than England vs France. The Lionesses have the tactical nous and tournament temperament to edge this duel, but France possess enough flair to flip the script in seconds. Expect a chess match sprinkled with fireworks—an early treat that could foreshadow July’s final.

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