• Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
What's On

People are only just realising what blue ice is on planes and it’s grim

6 July 2025

‘I wore this Boux Avenue bra to a summer wedding and it solved my outfit dilemma’

6 July 2025

Airline expert reveals why you should never wear Birkenstocks on a plane

6 July 2025

Unexpected household habit late Queen loved leaving dinner guests shocked

6 July 2025

How to wear red fashion this summer 2025 including £17 M&S alternative to pricey designer T-shirt

6 July 2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks for first time on Diogo Jota’s death with tribute to tragic Liverpool star

6 July 2025

‘British Airways staff made me cry as I begged for help – then holiday got even worse’

6 July 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • People are only just realising what blue ice is on planes and it’s grim
  • ‘I wore this Boux Avenue bra to a summer wedding and it solved my outfit dilemma’
  • Airline expert reveals why you should never wear Birkenstocks on a plane
  • Unexpected household habit late Queen loved leaving dinner guests shocked
  • How to wear red fashion this summer 2025 including £17 M&S alternative to pricey designer T-shirt
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks for first time on Diogo Jota’s death with tribute to tragic Liverpool star
  • ‘British Airways staff made me cry as I begged for help – then holiday got even worse’
  • Noise-cancelling headphones with ‘immense battery life’ are slashed by 39%
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
England TimesEngland Times
Demo
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
England TimesEngland Times
Home » England’s Euros defence starts with France defeat as Lionesses receive early wake-up call
Sports

England’s Euros defence starts with France defeat as Lionesses receive early wake-up call

By staff5 July 2025No Comments4 Mins Read

FRANCE 2-1 ENGLAND: First-half strikes from Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore were enough for France to seal all three points despite Keira Walsh’s late consolation

22:03, 05 Jul 2025Updated 22:05, 05 Jul 2025

England players react during their defeat by France
England made a losing start to their Euros defence(Image: AP)

England were left licking their wounds after France left the Euros holders on the ropes with a one-two punch in Zurich.

Sarina Wiegman’s team thought they had the lead midway through the first half, only for VAR to intervene and chalk out Alessia Russo’s strike.

France took full advantage after the let-off, scoring two quickfire goals through Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore to go in 2-0 up at the break.

There were bright sparks from an England perspective, not least in the performance of Lauren James, but they weren’t able to get on the scoresheet until the 87th minute and Keira Walsh’s effort came too late to spark an unlikely comeback.

They still had time for some half-chances, with late substitute Michelle Agyemang causing problems for the French defence as nerves set in, but England couldn’t find a leveller.

The Lionesses will need to pick themselves up quickly, with Wednesday’s game against the Netherlands now looking like a must-win fixture.

READ MORE: Sarina Wiegman shines light on ‘new England’ as Lionesses defend Euros titleREAD MORE: Leah Williamson details key reason Lionesses will attack Euro 2025 with ‘no fear’

England boss Sarina Wiegman made a big call before the game, bringing in Lauren James in place of Ella Toone, and the holders started on the front foot.

It was James’ first start since her return from injury, and Toone was made to start from the bench despite her brace in the 7-0 warm-up win over Jamaica.

Chelsea star James almost justified that selection inside a minute, finding space inside the French box but failing to keep her shot down, and looked a threat when picking the ball up in all areas of the pitch before eventually running out of steam around the hour mark.

While England have been able to welcome players back from injury at the ideal time, the opposite has been true for France, with captain Griedge Mbock unable to recover from a calf injury in time to start this game, and Wiegman’s team attempted to take advantage with some front-foot football before falling behind.

France celebrate Sandy Baltimore's goal
France celebrate Sandy Baltimore’s goal(Image: AP)

England thought they had taken the lead through Alessia Russo, with the Arsenal striker firing home a rebound after Pauline Peyraud-Magnin beat away a Lauren Hemp effort, but Beth Mead had strayed offside earlier in the move and VAR denied the holders.

Instead, though, it was France who struck first. Marie-Antoinette Katoto had been kept quiet for the first half hour but only needed one chance, tapping in at the back post after Delphine Cascarino sent in an impossible-to-defend cross between goalkeeper and centre-back.

One quickly became two, and not without controversy. Alessia Russo thought she had been fouled in the centre circle by Maelle Lakrar but referee Tess Olofsson waved play on and Sandy Baltimore ran at the England backline before benefiting from a kind ricochet and blasting into the top corner.

With a lead to protect, France carried a threat on the break and were inches from a third when keeper Hannah Hampton half-stopped a Grace Geyoro effort and had to scramble back to gather the ball on the line.

Keira Walsh celebrates her goal
Keira Walsh netted a late consolation for England(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Full-backs Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter struggled against the movement and threat of France wide players Cascarino and Baltimore, while Wiegman’s use of an extra attacker left England short in the middle of the park at times – with stand-in skipper Sakina Karchaoui able to take full advantage.

England rolled the dice with a triple change on the hour mark, with Euro 22 heroes Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly entering the fray as Wiegman chased a breakthrough.

And Walsh’s goal gave the Lionesses hope, but they could not force an equaliser meaning they have it all to do to make it out of the group.

Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

Related News

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks for first time on Diogo Jota’s death with tribute to tragic Liverpool star

6 July 2025

Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup prize money to date after reaching semi-final in USA

6 July 2025

‘I won 14 F1 titles with Red Bull but quitting last year was an easy decision’

6 July 2025

Why ‘Middle Sunday’ at Wimbledon was stopped with matches played today

6 July 2025

Erik ten Hag set to sell ex-Man Utd player for second time in two years

6 July 2025

Arsenal transfer news: Noni Madueke targeted as Rodrygo price tag revealed

6 July 2025
Latest News

‘I wore this Boux Avenue bra to a summer wedding and it solved my outfit dilemma’

6 July 2025

Airline expert reveals why you should never wear Birkenstocks on a plane

6 July 2025

Unexpected household habit late Queen loved leaving dinner guests shocked

6 July 2025

How to wear red fashion this summer 2025 including £17 M&S alternative to pricey designer T-shirt

6 July 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
Sports

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks for first time on Diogo Jota’s death with tribute to tragic Liverpool star

By staff6 July 20250

Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold paid a special tribute to Diogo Jota, his former Liverpool…

‘British Airways staff made me cry as I begged for help – then holiday got even worse’

6 July 2025

Noise-cancelling headphones with ‘immense battery life’ are slashed by 39%

6 July 2025

Woman finds object in garden and is left horrified as people reveal what it is

6 July 2025
England Times
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 England Times. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version