England Ladies 1 – 2 France Ladies

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 have been heading high of Group A3 when Beth Mead put the hosts forward on half-hour, as England recovered nicely from shedding goalkeeper Mary Earps because 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 surprising volley simply earlier than half-time, earlier than Marie-Antoinette Katoto swept house because the Lionesses did not clear one other set piece.

The consequence means England are actually 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 high two of their group, then they do have the chance to qualify through the play-offs, which happen later this 12 months in October and November.

How France turned the tables

England bought 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 finally 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 nicely, England grew into the sport simply earlier than their opener.

Ella Toone missed a superb probability to open the scoring when she scuffed Lauren Hemp’s cross broad of aim, earlier than Alessia Russo smashed over the close to publish when performed in down the left.

Ultimately, England’s stress informed 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.

As a substitute of pushing for a second, England bought 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 bought 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.

That left England kicking themselves at half-time, although Mead and Russo each went shut within the remaining minutes of the half.

There was extra sloppiness from the Lionesses as Delphine Cascarino and Sandie Toletti have been allowed clear sights of aim from the sting of the field, however each efforts have been astray.

And there was comparable clumsiness in France’s winner as Russo did not clear from a nook and France took benefit. Katoto latched onto a flick-on and swept house into the far nook, to depart 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

England supervisor Sarina Wiegman to ITV Sport:

“Absolutely frustrating. I think we played pretty well and I think we conceded two goals out of set plays which we have to do really better at. In these matches you don’t get that many chances. In the first half we created multiple chances and scored one.

“Then they scored a aim and within the second half we have been extra on the ball. We did not create that many possibilities, the ultimate move wanted to be higher. We bought to an opportunity then did not get to the tip. That execution did not go very nicely.

“We know France are good at set pieces. We were prepared and they still got their time. The first-half goal, it was unlucky. Lauren Hemp was bombarded.

“It was an odd begin to the sport. Mary bought injured and it took about 5 minutes to get began. That was not the way in which we have been anticipating it and we needed to get organised once more. I can not say something about her damage, I have never spoken to anybody but.

“Of course we are going to recover, review the game and get ready for Tuesday. There’s still lots to win, this is disappointing. Tomorrow we will see it as done and then it’s a good chance to play again and win again.”

Williamson: Return sport with France is must-win subsequent week

England captain Leah Williamson to ITV Sport:

“Really disappointed, the game was there to be won. It was a fantastic occasion, the fans have never let us down so it’s a shame not to give them a win as well.

“Two set items and second balls. We performed nicely, not ok to win the sport, however the possibilities have 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 need to be ruthless and put the ball in the back of the net, it goes without saying. That’s a must-win game now and we need to bring the energy, stay tight and put them under pressure.”

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