England have dropped out of the automated qualification spots of their Euro 2025 group after France got here from behind to beat the Lionesses 2-1 at St James’ Park.
Sarina Wiegman’s facet thought they had been heading high of Group A3 when Beth Mead put the hosts forward on half-hour, as England recovered properly from shedding goalkeeper Mary Earps attributable to an damage picked up within the first minute.
However France used their nook experience to show the sport on its head as Elisa De Almeida scored a surprising volley simply earlier than half-time, earlier than Marie-Antoinette Katoto swept dwelling because the Lionesses didn’t clear one other set piece.
The end result means England at the moment are 5 factors behind first-placed France, forward of one other recreation with the group leaders in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday, whereas the Lionesses sit third behind Sweden on objective distinction, after they beat the Republic of Eire 3-0.
If England don’t end within the high two of their group, then they do have the chance to qualify by way of the play-offs, which happen later this 12 months in October and November.
Picture:
Marie-Antoinette Katoto celebrates scoring her winner for France
How France turned the tables
England obtained off to a troublesome begin as goalkeeper Earps’ one and solely contact of the sport inside the primary 30 seconds noticed her move out the again then go down holding her hip, earlier than ultimately being pressured off on seven minutes, with Hannah Hampton approaching.
That put a dampener on the raucous St James’ Park ambiance and whereas France held the ball properly, England grew into the sport simply earlier than their opener.
Ella Toone missed a great probability to open the scoring when she scuffed Lauren Hemp’s cross vast of objective, earlier than Alessia Russo smashed over the close to publish when performed in down the left.
Finally, England’s stress instructed as Toone fed Hemp down the left and the England winger’s cross fell kindly for Georgia Stanway. The midfielder was denied by a France block however Mead was available to search out the online from the rebound.
Picture:
Beth Mead celebrates with Lauren Hemp after her opener
As an alternative of pushing for a second, England obtained sloppy in possession. France gave them a few warnings when Maelle Lakrar was discovered unmarked within the field from a nook, just for Hampton to acrobatically maintain her out. Then Katoto fired over from contained in the field after being discovered on their lonesome within the England penalty space from a harmful cross.
And moments later, France obtained their equaliser as a nook discovered De Almeida on the sting of the field and her gorgeous, instinctive volley flew over Hampton into the objective.
Picture:
Elisa De Almeida celebrates her equaliser for France
That left England kicking themselves at half-time, although Mead and Russo each went shut within the ultimate minutes of the half.
There was extra sloppiness from the Lionesses as Delphine Cascarino and Sandie Toletti had been allowed clear sights of objective from the sting of the field, however each efforts had been astray.
And there was related clumsiness in France’s winner as Russo didn’t clear from a nook and France took benefit. Katoto latched onto a flick-on and swept dwelling into the far nook, to go away the 42,000 followers at St James’ Park silenced.
Wiegman tried to reply by bringing Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly on, the latter blasting over nearly immediately in England’s finest probability to search out an equaliser. However England had no extra responses.
Wiegman ‘completely annoyed’ by defeat
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England boss Sarina Wiegman says her facet’s defeat to France was ‘pointless’ as they threw away a result in slip out of the automated qualification spots for Euro 2025.
England supervisor Sarina Wiegman to ITV Sport:
“Completely irritating. I feel we performed fairly properly and I feel we conceded two objectives out of set performs which we’ve to do actually higher at. In these matches you aren’t getting that many probabilities. Within the first half we created a number of probabilities and scored one.
“Then they scored a objective and within the second half we had been extra on the ball. We did not create that many probabilities, the ultimate move wanted to be higher. We obtained to an opportunity then did not get to the tip. That execution did not go very properly.
“We all know France are good at set items. We had been ready they usually nonetheless obtained their time. The primary-half objective, it was unfortunate. Lauren Hemp was bombarded.
“It was an odd begin to the sport. Mary obtained injured and it took about 5 minutes to get began. That was not the best way we had been anticipating it and we needed to get organised once more. I am unable to say something about her damage, I have not spoken to anybody but.
“In fact we’re going to get better, assessment the sport and prepare for Tuesday. There’s nonetheless tons to win, that is disappointing. Tomorrow we are going to see it as carried out after which it is a good probability to play once more and win once more.”
Williamson: Return recreation with France is must-win subsequent week
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England’s Ella Toone says the gamers are dissatisfied after their defeat to France however will be taught classes from the efficiency and errors that had been made.
England captain Leah Williamson to ITV Sport:
“Actually dissatisfied, the sport was there to be received. It was a implausible event, the followers have by no means allow us to down so it is a disgrace to not give them a win as properly.
“Two set items and second balls. We performed properly, not adequate to win the sport, however the probabilities had been there to win it. Two set items have killed us. There’s a component of luck to these issues, however first contact and second contact we simply must be higher. We shall be higher on Tuesday.
“We must be ruthless and put the ball behind the online, it goes with out saying. That is a must-win recreation now and we have to convey the vitality, keep tight and put them beneath stress.”
What’s subsequent?
England Ladies journey to face France Ladies within the return Euro 2025 Qualifier in League A, Group 3 on the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Tuesday June 4; kick-off 8pm.
What are the opposite Euro 2025 qualifying dates?
June 4: France vs England, Saint-Etienne, kick-off 8pm
July 12: England vs Republic of Eire, Norwich, kick-off 8pm
July 16: Sweden vs England, location TBC, kick-off 6pm
Play-off draw: July 19
Play-off spherical one (two legs): October 23-29
Play-off spherical two (two legs): November 27-December 3
Euro 2025 finals draw: December 16
Euro 2025 finals: July 2-27 2025 – Switzerland
