England Women got their Women’s European Championship defence off to the worst possible start with a 2-1 defeat to France Women.
It was always going to be tough for England to defend their crown at Euro 2025, especially after being put in the toughest group. Alongside France, England must also face the Netherlands and Wales.
And England now go into their next game against the Netherlands knowing they absolutely have to win if they are to stand any chance of making it out of the group. All of England’s recent problems reared their heads in Zurich, but it looked like it had started so well.
England were promising in the opening stages, with Lauren James looking to pull the strings. It was a surprise to see the Chelsea forward starting having only recently returned from injury. But it was looking like the right decision.
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James showed glimpses of her magic on the ball and thought she had played a big role in England taking the lead. The 23-year-old picked the ball up just inside her own half and drove towards the edge of the box, finding Beth Mead. Mead cut inside and passed out wide to Lauren Hemp, who saw her shot saved. Alessia Russo tapped the ball in on the rebound but, after a long check, the goal was ruled out for offside. Semi-automated offside made the call, with Mead purportedly offside by the finest of margins. We’re talking a loose thread on a sleeve.
And then the momentum changed. France were buoyed by the reprieve, while England’s heads dropped. Thanks to their new-found confidence Les Bleues focused on their wing play, targeting England’s biggest weakness — their full-backs.
England’s biggest problem
Lucy Bronze came into the Euros off the back of a strong season for Chelsea. Chelsea fans had mixed expectations after the signing, but the 33-year-old right-back was solid for the treble-winning side. Only Hannah Hampton and Millie Bright played more minutes than Bronze’s 2,525 for Chelsea across all competitions. But it looks like that has caught up with her.
Bronze has never really been the best defensive full-back. She’s more attack-focused, and that has brought excellent results for England in the past. But her lack of defensive focus has also cost them. Bronze was the one caught out on Olga Carmona’s winning goal in the 2023 World Cup Final. Without adequate cover for Bronze, England often get caught out on their right — and there’s often a gap behind Leah Williamson.
On the left, Sarina Wiegman is yet to find a solution to an age-old problem. When England won Women’s Euro 2022 it was with striker Rachel Daly at left-back. But she retired and Wiegman hadn’t planned for a successor. And now it’s coming back to bite her.
With Alex Greenwood playing at centre-back, Jess Carter and Niamh Charles are the two left-back options. Charles is a converted winger but generally lacks defensively. And she had an underwhelming season for Chelsea struggling to find form after injury. Carter is usually the more defensively solid one, instead lacking in attack. But Carter does also lack pace and that was a big problem.
France’s wonderful wingers
Delphine Cascarino terrorised Carter on England’s left, constantly getting the better of her. It was no surprise that France’s opener came down that wing. After being Carter, Cascarino played a ball across the goal for Marie-Antionette Katoto to tap in — having found the space behind Williamson with Bronze absent.
Cascarino completed all three of her attempted take-ons, the best 100% record of any player on either team. She also created a match-high four chances — that’s almost as many as the entire England team on her own.
France’s second goal came down England’s right. This time it was a bit of magic from Sandy Baltimore, combined with bad luck from Bronze. After Baltimore had jinked her way into the box, Bronze — who had missed a slide tackle — stuck a foot out to try to intercept the ball. Instead, she played the ball back to Baltimore, assisting her Chelsea teammate for a lovely finish into the roof of the net.
Baltimore ended the game with three completed take-ons from four attempted, one chance created and 34 touches alongside her goal. It was a fantastic performance from the French winger.
Shortly after the second goal, Wiegman tried to remedy the defence in switching Carter and Bronze. But the experiment was short-lived as Carter continued to struggle on the right.
Late reaction from Wiegman
Things weren’t much better for England in the second half, even if they didn’t concede. But that was more because France were happy to pick their attacking moments. At the other end of the pitch, England were lacking a strong focal point, taking until the 87th minute to have their first shot on target. And that was Keira Walsh’s consolation goal.
Wiegman’s subs were predictably and too late, with Michelle Agyemang only brought on with four minutes left to play. Carter made it until the 60th minute until she was hooked, as did Beth Mead, who was also poor. England padded the stats a little with their shots at the end, but they couldn’t get the equaliser.
England are now five games without a win outside of their home country. That’s something they need to change quickly if they are to retain their crown.