Leah Williamson blasts England after France defeat

Leah Williamson did not mince her words after England’s 2-1 loss to France in their opening Euro 2025 qualifiers fixture, declaring the performance “not good enough” and demanding an immediate reaction against the Netherlands.

Leah Williamson verdict: ‘Not good enough’

The Arsenal centre-back, restored to captaincy duties following injury, offered a frank appraisal in the mixed zone at the Swiss host venue. Leah Williamson pinpointed two issues: uncharacteristically sloppy one-on-one defending that gifted Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore quick-fire goals before the break, and a lack of composure in possession that repeatedly handed momentum to France.

How the Euro 2025 qualifiers opener unravelled

England began brightly. Beth Mead’s teasing cross forced Pauline Peyraud-Magnin into an early save and an Alessia Russo strike was ruled out for marginal offside—VAR’s tightest of lines erasing what would have been a priceless opener. Yet once that call went against Sarina Wiegman’s side, the Lionesses lost shape, tempo and belief.
Katoto capitalised first, spinning away from Millie Bright to prod past Mary Earps. Three minutes later Baltimore doubled the damage, arrowing into the far corner after Georgia Stanway surrendered the ball in midfield. England’s response was sporadic until the 87th minute, when Keira Walsh curled home from distance, but by then the mountain was too steep.

Stat sheet: where the Lionesses fell short

• Possession: France 46% – England 54% (but 17 turnovers in England’s own half).
• Shots on target: France 5 – England 3.
• Individual duels won: Katoto 9/12, Bright 5/11.
• Expected Goals (xG): France 1.8 – England 0.9.

Leah Williamson’s call to arms before the Netherlands clash

Leah Williamson insisted lessons must be learned quickly before Wednesday’s must-win meeting with the Netherlands, who opened Group A with a convincing 3-0 victory over Wales. “We’ve been here before,” she reminded reporters, referencing the 2023 World Cup group stage when England rebounded from an early scare to reach the final four. “Character is built in these moments.”

What Sarina Wiegman must tweak

1. Defensive pairing: Bright and Alex Greenwood were outpaced by Katoto. Maya Le Tissier’s athleticism could be introduced alongside Leah Williamson to counter Dutch speedster Lieke Martens.
2. Midfield balance: Stanway’s aggressive press left Walsh isolated. The return of Jordan Nobbs, a tireless shuttler, might offer security and progressive passing in equal measure.
3. Clinical edge: Despite bright wing play from Lauren Hemp, the final ball was wasteful. Training ground drills have prioritised quicker combinations in the final third, with Russo and Mead rehearsing near-post runs to exploit Dutch defensive lapses.

France celebrate, England lament fine margins

France manager Hervé Renard hailed “rigor and ruthlessness,” praising Katoto’s sharpness after a lengthy injury lay-off. In contrast, Wiegman lamented the disallowed Russo goal but refused to blame officials, echoing Leah Williamson: “We create our own luck by defending and passing better.”

Group permutations after matchday one

• France top the pool on three points, goal difference +1.
• Netherlands occupy second, level on points but inferior disciplinary record.
• England sit third, ahead of Wales on goals scored.
Only the top two qualify automatically; third place enters a play-off route.

The bigger picture for the Lionesses

The Lionesses arrived in Switzerland as reigning European champions yet have tasted defeat in three of their last five competitive outings. Leah Williamson’s candid critique is therefore timely. England’s golden cycle—Euro 2022 triumph, World Cup 2023 runners-up—faces its sternest examination as opponents adapt to Wiegman’s patterns. Injuries to key figures such as Bethany England and Jess Carter have stretched squad depth, but the expectation remains: anything short of a semi-final place in 2025 will be labelled failure.

Historic context: when England bounced back

• Euro 2001 qualifying: Lost 2-1 to Germany, then hammered Portugal 6-0 to advance.
• World Cup 2015: Opened with a defeat to France, then strung together five consecutive wins to claim bronze.
These precedents feed belief in the current squad, many of whom experienced the 2015 revival.

Players to watch versus the Netherlands

• Leah Williamson: Beyond her leadership, her diagonal passing can unlock Dutch wide spaces.
• Lauren James: Rested against France, her ability to drift inside and shoot from range is a potential game-changer.
• Daniëlle van de Donk (Netherlands): The Lyon playmaker thrives between opposition lines; England must close her space early.

Fan sentiment and media reaction

British tabloids dubbed the display “toothless,” while French outlets celebrated a “statement win.” Social media reflected mixed emotions: supporters praised Leah Williamson for fronting up yet criticised defensive lapses. An online poll by the FA showed 78% of respondents still back England to reach the quarter-finals.

Broadcast details

The Netherlands showdown will be televised on BBC One from 19:30 BST, with radio commentary on BBC 5 Live and streaming via BBC iPlayer. Ticket sales have exceeded 35,000, promising a vibrant atmosphere.

Leah Williamson still the heartbeat

Despite the defeat, Leah Williamson’s influence remains unquestioned. Her willingness to publicly shoulder responsibility sets the tone for younger teammates. In training the captain was first onto the pitch and last to leave, orchestrating positional drills and encouraging bright youngster Grace Clinton to trust her instincts.

Injury updates

• Chloe Kelly suffered a dead leg but is expected to train fully by Tuesday.
• Katie Zelem continues rehabilitation from a hamstring strain and will not feature against the Dutch.

What happens if England lose again?

A second defeat would almost certainly consign the Lionesses to the play-offs, complicating their route to Euro 2025. Historically, no side has won the tournament after navigating that path. Leah Williamson acknowledged the stakes: “We have to treat Wednesday like a final.”

Opinion: wake-up call may prove invaluable

Sometimes elite teams need a jolt to reignite hunger. Losing early exposes flaws while leaving time to fix them. If Leah Williamson’s rallying cry triggers sharper concentration and bolder creativity, this setback could be the catalyst that shapes another memorable English campaign.