In Video: “We didn't show up” | Reactions after England beaten by France in Women's Euros opener

French Fury: England Falls to Defeat in Group Stage Opener

The Lionesses’ European Championship campaign got off to a disappointing start as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of France. Despite dominating possession, England failed to create clear-cut chances and were punished by Les Bleues’ clinical finishing.

Tactical Mistakes and Sloppiness Hinders England’s Progress

Captain Serena Vman admitted that England’s decision to play short passes allowed France to press high and catch them off guard. “We wanted to skip players and get in behind them, but then we were a bit sloppy and lost the ball in those moments,” she said. This mistake allowed France to take control of the game and dictate the pace.

England’s Disallowed Goal: A Tough Pill to Swallow

The Lionesses were also denied a potential equalizer when England’s Beth Me was judged to be offside. Me wasn’t convinced by the decision, saying, “I’m unsure how it was given offside… Sometimes things don’t go quite right and you try to figure it out and it doesn’t always look the best.” Despite the controversy, Me remains focused on improving the team’s performance.

Stats Suggest England’s Inefficiency in Front of Goal

England dominated possession, but struggled to create chances, with fewer shots and touches in the French box. According to the stats, the Lionesses also had fewer big chances created than their opponents. Captain Serena Vman acknowledged that the team was frustrated by their performance, admitting that they didn’t show what they’re capable of.

Reflection and Revival: England Looks to the Netherlands

Despite the disappointing start, the Lionesses have the opportunity to bounce back against the Netherlands on Wednesday. With Wales still to play in the group stage, England needs to respond swiftly to avoid elimination. Captain Serena Vman urged her teammates to “review, work on it, and the only way is up.”

Next Up: England Seeks Redemption Against the Netherlands

With a tough match ahead, England’s players are fully aware of the importance of getting it right. As Seth Me said, “We have to respond because defeat will mean it’s over before our games are even over.” With pride and pride on the line, the Lionesses will look to regroup and refocus to get back on track in the tournament.

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