Beth Mead credits France loss for England’s success at Euro 2025 | OneFootball

Beth Mead celebrates scoring England’s fifth goal against Wales

Beth Mead has credited England’s slow start against France for the Lionesses success at Euro 2025 so far ahead of a quarter-final against Sweden.

England started off their Euro 2025 journey with a loss to France and there was plenty of fans who thought the reigning champions would be eliminated in the group stage.

However the first loss seemed to fuel England, who were able to ease into the knockouts after convincing wins against the Netherlands and Wales.

One Lioness believes that the squad needed to lose to France to find their best form ahead of the knockouts.

Speaking before England’s semi-final against Sweden, Mead said: “It didn’t seem it at the time, it probably was the best thing that could have happened to us as a team. I think it motivated us. We had conversations, we figured things out that we maybe needed to.

“You don’t win or lose a tournament in the first game, I think it’s cliche to say it, but you don’t, and we’re now in a position where we’re building quite nicely and hopefully we can continue that momentum now into the quarterfinals.”

The Lionesses face off against Sweden on Thursday night in what could be one of the most exciting quarter-finals at this year’s tournament.

Will Beth Mead start for England vs Sweden?

Although she has become a regular fixture in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad, Beth Mead has enjoyed a mixed Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

The Arsenal winger started against France but after the defeat she was dropped to the bench in favour of Lauren James.

With James on the wing England looked much more dangerous but that isn’t to say Mead struggled as a substitute.

The 30-year-old made a huge impact against the Netherlands once introduced and in England’s 6-1 rout over Wales, Mead was able to get on the scoresheet for the first time at Euro 2025.

Having finished Euro 2022 as the joint-top scorer, Mead will be disappointed with her campaign so far but England winning remains the priority.

After being left out of the last two starting lineups when England have won it is likely that Mead will be utilised off the bench once more against Sweden.

England Euro 2025 odds

The Lionesses remain right in the thick of the action this summer despite a tricky start to Euro 2025 and their outright odds still look good.

According to the UK’s best betting sites, England are just 1/1 to beat Sweden and 4/1 to retain their Euros title in Switzerland.