England vs France Women: Lionesses Lose Euro Opener

England vs France women served up a sobering reality check at Stadion Letzigrund, where Sarina Wiegman’s reigning champions fell 2-1 and became the first European title-holders to start a defence with defeat. Despite a bright opening that saw Alessia Russo’s strike ruled out by VAR, the Lionesses were undone by catastrophic defending and the ruthless edge of Les Bleues.

England vs France women: How the match slipped away

The opening quarter-hour suggested a comfortable night for England. Russo’s clever diagonal run split a makeshift French back line and her low finish appeared to settle early nerves. VAR, however, spotted a marginal offside. The decision galvanised France, who moments earlier looked ragged without long-time captain Wendie Renard.

French wingers expose England’s soft centre

Delphine Cascarino’s relentless dribbling on the right and Sandy Baltimore’s balance on the left repeatedly dragged Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze out of position. On 31 minutes, Cascarino skated past Carter, cut the ball back and Marie-Antoinette Katoto bundled home. Three minutes later, Baltimore darted between Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood, forcing a panicked clearance that fell straight to Grace Geyoro, whose shot deflected in off Williamson’s knee. Within 180 seconds, England were two down and visibly rattled.

Lionesses player ratings highlight defensive woes

Goalkeeper & defence

Hannah Hampton 5/10 – smart early save from Katoto, but nearly spilled Geyoro’s late strike over the line.
Lucy Bronze 5 – attacked with intent but left gaps behind.
Leah Williamson 4 – timing absent after long injury lay-off; own goal capped a torrid night.
Alex Greenwood 5 – decent distribution overshadowed by hesitant positioning.
Jess Carter 4 – repeatedly beaten by pace and trickery; withdrawn on 60 minutes.

Midfield

Georgia Stanway 6 – tireless pressing but little end product.
Keira Walsh 7 – dictated possession and lashed in a stunning 87th-minute consolation.
Ella Toone 5 – struggled to find space between the lines; subbed early in second half.

Attack

Lauren James 6 – flashes of genius on the left but decision-making inconsistent.
Alessia Russo 6 – unlucky with disallowed goal, isolated thereafter.
Chloe Kelly 5 – crossing radar off; replaced after an hour.

Key tactical themes from the England vs France women clash

1. Centre-back chemistry missing

Williamson’s return alongside Greenwood looked rusty. The pair stood on the same line, inviting Katoto to run between them. Carter’s inability to tuck in compounded the issue.

2. Lack of midfield protection

Walsh orchestrated possession yet could not shield the back four. Without Fran Kirby’s press resistance, Stanway and Toone vacated zones too quickly, allowing Geyoro and Amandine Henry to dictate tempo.

3. Wing isolation for England

Bronze and James created overloads but France doubled up effectively, leaving Wiegman’s full-backs stranded up-field whenever possession was lost.

Substitutions fail to shift momentum

Wiegman introduced Rachel Daly, Beth Mead and Niamh Charles on 60 minutes, then Lauren Hemp and Katie Zelem late on. The changes added energy but not structure. Daly’s physical presence briefly unsettled Maëlle Lakrar, yet crosses lacked accuracy. Mead’s rustiness after injury was evident, and Hemp found little room against the steadfast Sakina Karchaoui.

What the result means for Euro 2025 qualifying hopes

The “group of death” now leaves England needing a positive result against the Netherlands on Wednesday before facing arch-rivals Germany. Another slip could see them become the first holders eliminated in the group phase. For France, the victory cements belief in Laurent Bonadei’s stewardship while Hervé Renard completes his post-Olympic sabbatical.

Historical context

• First time a reigning Women’s Euro champion has lost its opener.
• England’s first competitive defeat under Wiegman by a team other than Spain.
• France’s first competitive win over England since 2017.

England vs France women: Quotes from the camps

Wiegman: “We started well but lost organisation after the VAR call. Our reaction must be sharper.”
Bonadei: “We knew their centre-backs were rusty. The wingers executed the plan perfectly.”

Stat zone

Possession: England 55% – France 45%
Shots: England 9 (3 on target) – France 14 (6 on target)
Expected Goals: ENG 0.79 – FRA 1.64
Crosses completed: ENG 3/22 – FRA 6/14
Tackles won: ENG 62% – FRA 71%

Road ahead for the Lionesses

England fly to Utrecht needing at least a point. Williamson is likely to keep her place, but Millie Bright’s fitness could offer relief. A switch to a back three is under discussion to accommodate Daly’s aerial strength and provide wing-back cover for Bronze and Hemp.

Opinion: time to rediscover defensive grit

The Lionesses’ success under Wiegman has been built on relentless pressing and positional discipline. Saturday showed what happens when those fundamentals slip. England must fix their defensive shape fast or risk an early exit that would echo Spain’s 2013 group-stage flop as defending champions. There is enough quality and experience to recover, but the urgency is real—and, after Zurich, unmistakable.