England vs France Women: Holders Stunned in Euro 2025 Opener

England vs France women saw the reigning champions slip to a surprise 2-1 defeat in their UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 curtain-raiser, handing the Lionesses an unwanted piece of history on a rain-soaked evening in Geneva.

England vs France women – how Les Bleues seized control

England vs France women dominated pre-tournament chatter, yet it was Hervé Renard’s side that dictated the first half. Marie-Antoinette Katoto drew first blood on 17 minutes, spinning away from Alex Greenwood to side-foot past Mary Earps after a slick, one-touch sequence involving Grace Geyoro and Kadidiatou Diani.

The Lionesses—missing injured skipper Leah Williamson and creative fulcrum Lauren James—struggled to establish rhythm. Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway were harassed in midfield, while France’s high press pinned full-backs Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter deep. England vs France women tilted further in Les Bleues’ favour when Sandy Baltimore curved a devastating 30-yard effort into the top corner five minutes before the interval.

Second-half response falls short

Sarina Wiegman introduced Jess Park and Beth England to inject urgency, switching to a 3-4-3 that finally stretched France’s back line. Chances arrived: Chloe Kelly skimmed the bar, Alessia Russo forced Pauline Peyraud-Magnin into a smart stop, and Bronze saw a header hacked off the line. Still, England vs France women looked destined to end without a Lionesses goal until Walsh met Kelly’s corner in the 82nd minute, powering a header that clipped the post on its way in.

Key talking points

• Midfield battle lost: Walsh’s late strike masked an evening where Damaris Egurrola and Geyoro bossed central areas.
• Defensive gaps: The absence of Williamson was glaring, with Katoto exploiting hesitant positioning between Greenwood and Millie Bright.
• Set-piece threat muted: England’s usual aerial dominance produced just two shots on target from nine corners.
• France ruthless: Two goals from three first-half attempts underlined clinical edge.

What the result means for Group B

England vs France women leaves the holders third behind the Netherlands, who dispatched Wales 3-0 earlier in the day. Wiegman’s side now face the Dutch in Hamburg on Wednesday knowing another slip could condemn them to a quarter-final scrap. France, meanwhile, can seal qualification by beating Wales.

Player ratings

England: Earps 6, Bronze 6, Bright 5, Greenwood 5, Carter 5, Walsh 7, Stanway 6, Toone 5 (Park 6), Kelly 6, Russo 6 (England 6), Hemp 6

France: Peyraud-Magnin 7, Karchaoui 7, Mbock Bathy 7, Renard 8, Périsset 7, Egurrola 8, Geyoro 8, Baltimore 8, Cascarino 7 (Lakrar 6), Diani 7, Katoto 8

Manager reaction

Wiegman admitted England vs France women exposed “rusty decision-making and poor distances between our lines,” but remained upbeat: “We’ve bounced back before and we’ll do it again.” Renard praised his squad’s composure: “We respected England but never feared them. That mindset was key.”

The road ahead for the Lionesses

England vs France women is far from the end of the story. Victory over the Netherlands would reignite the campaign, though defensive tweaks are essential. Expect Wiegman to consider revert­ing to a double pivot, with Laura Coombs offering ballast, and perhaps hand Rachel Daly a start to bolster link-up play.

Historical context

This England vs France women clash marked only the Lionesses’ second group-stage defeat under Wiegman and snapped a 17-match unbeaten run at major tournaments dating back to 2019. The last time England lost their Euro opener (2013), they exited at the group stage, a statistic the current squad will be desperate not to repeat.

Stat zone

• Shots: England 14 – 7 France
• Expected goals: 1.38 – 0.92
• Possession: 55% – 45%
• Pass accuracy: 82% – 78%
• Fouls: 9 – 11

England vs France women – final whistle verdict

England vs France women delivered drama, quality and a wake-up call for the champions. France’s blend of physicality and finesse unpicked England’s usually reliable structure, while Wiegman’s substitutes offered evidence the Lionesses can still roar. A pivotal showdown with the Netherlands now looms large.

Opinion: Despite the defeat, perspective is vital. Tournament football is about peaking at the right moment, and an early jolt might sharpen England’s focus. However, leadership must rise from within; without Williamson’s calming influence, senior voices like Bright and Walsh have to steady the ship swiftly. Wednesday already feels like knockout football.