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 aspect thought they had been heading prime of Group A3 when Beth Mead put the hosts forward on half-hour, as England recovered effectively from dropping goalkeeper Mary Earps on account of 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 shocking volley simply earlier than half-time, earlier than Marie-Antoinette Katoto swept house because the Lionesses didn’t clear one other set piece.
The consequence means England at the moment are 5 factors behind first-placed France, forward of one other sport with the group leaders in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday, whereas the Lionesses sit third behind Sweden on aim distinction, after they beat the Republic of Eire 3-0.
If England don’t end within the prime two of their group, then they do have the chance to qualify through the play-offs, which happen later this yr in October and November.
Picture:
Marie-Antoinette Katoto celebrates scoring her winner for France
How France turned the tables
England received off to a troublesome begin as goalkeeper Earps’ one and solely contact of the sport inside the primary 30 seconds noticed her go out the again then go down holding her hip, earlier than finally being compelled 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 effectively, England grew into the sport simply earlier than their opener.
Ella Toone missed a very good probability to open the scoring when she scuffed Lauren Hemp’s cross extensive of aim, earlier than Alessia Russo smashed over the close to submit when performed in down the left.
Finally, England’s strain 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 seek out the online from the rebound.
Picture:
Beth Mead celebrates with Lauren Hemp after her opener
As a substitute of pushing for a second, England received 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 hold 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 received their equaliser as a nook discovered De Almeida on the sting of the field and her beautiful, instinctive volley flew over Hampton into the aim.
Picture:
Elisa De Almeida celebrates her equaliser for France
That left England kicking themselves at half-time, though Mead and Russo each went shut within the closing minutes of the half.
There was extra sloppiness from the Lionesses as Delphine Cascarino and Sandie Toletti had been allowed clear sights of aim from the sting of the field, however each efforts had been off beam.
And there was comparable 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 house 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 greatest probability to seek out an equaliser. However England had no extra responses.
Wiegman ‘completely annoyed’ by defeat
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England boss Sarina Wiegman says her aspect’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 effectively and I feel we conceded two targets out of set performs which we’ve to do actually higher at. In these matches you aren’t getting that many possibilities. Within the first half we created a number of possibilities and scored one.
“Then they scored a aim and within the second half we had been extra on the ball. We did not create that many possibilities, the ultimate go wanted to be higher. We received to an opportunity then did not get to the tip. That execution did not go very effectively.
“We all know France are good at set items. We had been ready and so they nonetheless received their time. The primary-half aim, it was unfortunate. Lauren Hemp was bombarded.
“It was a wierd begin to the sport. Mary received 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.
“After all we’re going to get better, evaluate the sport and prepare for Tuesday. There’s nonetheless heaps to win, that is disappointing. Tomorrow we’ll see it as executed after which it is a good probability to play once more and win once more.”
Williamson: Return sport with France is must-win subsequent week
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England’s Ella Toone says the gamers are disenchanted after their defeat to France however will study classes from the efficiency and errors that had been made.
England captain Leah Williamson to ITV Sport:
“Actually disenchanted, the sport was there to be gained. It was a incredible event, the followers have by no means allow us to down so it is a disgrace to not give them a win as effectively.
“Two set items and second balls. We performed effectively, not adequate to win the sport, however the possibilities 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 have to be higher. We will likely be higher on Tuesday.
“We have to be ruthless and put the ball behind the online, it goes with out saying. That is a must-win sport now and we have to deliver the vitality, keep tight and put them underneath strain.”
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
