England’s defence of their UEFA Women’s Euro crown began with a frustrating 2-1 defeat to France in their opening Group D clash at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. A sluggish first-half display, defensive mistakes, and a disallowed goal all contributed to a disappointing result for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.
🇫🇷 France Strike Twice in the First Half
France came into the game with a point to prove and executed their plan to perfection. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute, when Marie-Antoinette Katoto pounced on a quick transition, calmly slotting home past Mary Earps after a sharp passing move through England’s midfield.
Just three minutes later, the lead was doubled in emphatic style. Sandy Baltimore, the Paris Saint-Germain winger, picked up the ball on the left, danced her way past two defenders, and curled a superb effort into the far top corner. England’s backline was left stunned.
🇬🇧 England’s Early Disappointment and Late Response
England had seemingly struck first through Alessia Russo in the 16th minute. A fine team move ended with Russo firing into the net, only for VAR to rule the goal out due to Beth Mead being marginally offside in the build-up. That disallowed goal seemed to sap the momentum from the Lionesses.
Despite improved urgency in the second half, England struggled to test French keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. It wasn’t until the 87th minute that Keira Walsh fired a brilliant 25-yard strike to give the Lionesses a glimmer of hope.
Unfortunately, it was too little too late.
🗣️ Reaction: “We Beat Ourselves,” Says Wiegman
England manager Sarina Wiegman was blunt in her post-match assessment:
“We beat ourselves in the first half. We were not calm enough under pressure and we failed to win our one-on-one battles.”
Captain Leah Williamson echoed her manager’s sentiments, adding that emotions may have got the better of the team.
“We didn’t show our quality in key moments. The first half wasn’t good enough.”
In contrast, France boss Hervé Renard praised his side’s “discipline and ruthlessness,” hailing their ability to “expose England’s spaces and shut down their supply lines.”
📊 Key Stats
| Statistic | France | England |
|---|---|---|
| Shots on target | 4 | 2 |
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Corners | 3 | 5 |
| Pass accuracy | 81% | 83% |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 2 |
France were efficient in attack, with Delphine Cascarino earning the Player of the Match award after assisting the opener and running England’s defence ragged.
🧠 Tactical Breakdown
England’s short-passing strategy played into France’s pressing system. With the midfield unable to assert control, France frequently turned over possession in dangerous areas.
Wiegman’s switch to a more direct approach late on, including the introduction of Lauren James and Rachel Daly, helped increase attacking intent—but came too late to salvage a point.
📅 What’s Next for England?
England now face a high-stakes match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, 9 July, in what is effectively a must-win to keep qualification hopes alive. The Dutch currently top Group D after a 4-0 win over Wales.
Meanwhile, France will look to seal early progression when they face Wales on the same day.
📸 Final Thoughts
This defeat marks the first time in Women’s Euro history that the reigning champions have lost their opening match. While not fatal to England’s chances, the result is a sharp wake-up call.
Key Takeaways:
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France were tactically superior and more clinical.
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England struggled defensively, especially in the first half.
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Set-pieces and long-range efforts may be vital in England’s upcoming games.
The Lionesses must regroup and respond quickly—there’s no margin for error in the group stage from here on.