Euro 2025: France stuns defending champions England in opener | OneFootball

England’s defence of their European Championship crown got off to a difficult start as France claimed a 2-1 win in Zurich.

England created the first chance in the opening minute, but Lauren James fired over from a narrow-angle.

The Lionesses went close again three minutes later, but Alessia Russo couldn’t climb high enough to head home.

Russo did have the ball in the net with just over a quarter of an hour gone. She tapped home after Pauline Peyraud-Magnin parried Beth Mead’s shot. Unfortunately for the travelling England fans, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check for offside.

That galvanised France, and they seized the initiative. Their press in particular, combined with England’s insistence on building from the back, caused Sarina Wiegman’s side multiple problems.

France punishes England before halftime

Laurent Bonadéi’s side started to create chances with increasing frequency.

Sakina Karchaoui nearly gave France the lead with a quick bit of thinking. Spotting Hannah Hampton off her line, the PSG player lifted her attempt over Hampton. Fortunately for England, the ball rippled the side netting.

For all the talk of Mary Earps’ international retirement prior to the tournament, Hampton was exceptional here in Zurich.

A brilliant reaction save to deny Élisa de Almeida with an outstretched foot was just one of a number of impressive stops the Chelsea keeper made.

Les Bleus finally got their reward ten minutes from halftime. Marie-Antoinette Katoto found herself in space at the back post, and she made no mistake in turning home Delphine Cascarino’s cross.

Embed from Getty Images

Things got worse for England just three minutes later. Sandy Baltimore picked the ball up at the back post and hammered it into the far corner.

There was a delay while VAR checked for offside, but it was given the all-clear, and the French had breathing space.

A couple of late corners were as much as England could muster in response as a difficult opening 45 minutes drew to a close.

France survives frantic finish to defeat England

The second half took a while to get going. Both sides were perhaps wary of encouraging the other.

Chances were traded as we approached the hour. A well-worked corner between Mead and Hemp allowed the latter to get a shot away. That was sandwiched between two more great stops from Hampton to deny Grace Geyoro and Baltimore.

With five minutes to go, England at last showed some signs of life.

Ella Toone — on as a second-half sub — had two shots blocked in quick succession. The second of which went for a corner.

That corner found Keira Walsh on the edge of the box. She let fly with a brilliant strike for only her second England goal.

The reigning champions had hope.

Embed from Getty Images

Michelle Agyemang had a shot blocked, and Hemp saw her toe poke cleared off the line as France started to wobble. Grace Clinton hammered the rebound over the bar.

The French were baying for the whistle. England were just hoping for one last chance.

But that final chance never came, bringing an end to a disappointing night for England and sparking jubilant celebrations for France.

For Sarina Wiegman, it was her first-ever defeat at the European Championships. It was also the first time the defending champions had lost their opening game.

One thing is clear now. Defeat to the Netherlands on Wednesday will see England exit the tournament.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: