In Video: Disappointment for England as they lose 2-1 to France at Euro 2025

England’s European Title Defence Off to a Rocky Start: Defeated by France 2-1

England’s defense of their women’s European Championship title got off to a disappointing start as they lost 2-1 to France in their opening match. Sue Smith, a former England international, analyzed the game for us and reflected on England’s performance.

England Start Strong, but France Take Control

Smith pointed out that England started well, with an intensity and passion that saw them create a couple of opportunities in the first five to ten minutes. They even had a goal disallowed for offside, which was a well-worked effort. However, as France took control, England struggled to keep up. France’s midfield dominance, led by Kosawi, was a major factor, and their wide players, Cascarino and Baltimore, caused problems for the English defense. Even their fullbacks joined the attack, making it a difficult night for England.

Lauren James Impressive, But Not Enough

One of the few positives for England was the performance of Lauren James, who started the game and played 60 minutes before being substituted. Smith praised James’ quality, noting that she can glide past players and create moments of brilliance. James’ fitness level appeared to be an issue, but she still managed to impress. However, it was not enough to turn the game around.

England Struggled in 1v1 Battles

Smith highlighted France’s strength in 1v1 battles, saying that they likely won these battles overall. This was reflected in the fact that England didn’t have a shot on target for a significant period of the game until Kira Walsh scored. France’s defense was solid, and their attack was potent, making them the better team on the night.

Pressure Mounts for England

The loss puts a lot of pressure on England for their next two games against the Netherlands and Austria. Smith noted that the nation is behind them and desperate for them to bring home the trophy again. The experienced players will need to step up and guide the younger players to ensure they can recover from this defeat.

Tough Group Ahead

England’s group is indeed tough, with the Netherlands and Austria both looking strong. Smith acknowledged that it will be a tough matchup against the Netherlands, who impressed in their win over Wales. The pressure is on, and England will need to regroup quickly if they hope to make a deep run in the tournament.

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