France Ladies 2 – 1 England Ladies
England Ladies’s defence of their European title obtained off to a shedding begin, overwhelmed 2-1 by France in Zurich.
It’s the first time a reigning champion has misplaced their opening recreation of the next event, with the Lionesses largely outplayed and outfought by the spectacular French.
However their efficiency was bookended with two vivid spells. Alessia Russo had the ball behind the web within the sixteenth minute, however her strike was dominated out by VAR for a Beth Mead offside within the build-up.
France reacted the higher, profiting from England’s sloppy play and utilizing their benefit down each wings – Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter struggling in opposition to the tempo of Sandy Baltimore and Delphine Cascarino.
And it was one other run from the latter that set France up for a deserved opener. Her move into the field was turned residence by Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who had drifted in behind Leah Williamson.
Three minutes later and France doubled their lead, with England conceding the whole variety of objectives they let in throughout Euro 2022 (2) within the area of some minutes.
Baltimore shrugged off the double problem of Williamson and Chelsea team-mate Bronze making an attempt the cross. England’s right-back caught out a leg to dam, however that solely despatched the ball again to the winger, who then turned residence.
France’s Sandy Baltimore scores her aspect’s second purpose in opposition to England
There was a VAR evaluate for a foul on Russo within the build-up, however the expertise caught with the on-field resolution to let the purpose stand, sending the normally stoic Sarina Wiegman into an offended outburst on the fourth official.
France continued to look snug within the second half – till England had been supplied a lifeline within the 87th minute. Keira Walsh, who had struggled to tug the strings for the Lionesses as she so typically does, rifled residence from a cleared nook for simply her second worldwide purpose.
The Lionesses continued to push – Michelle Agyemang wanting vivid when she got here on as a late substitute – with Lauren Hemp having a poked effort cleared off the road after Pauline Peyraud-Magnin left her purpose open.
But it surely was not sufficient for England to grab an undeserved level, leaving them third in Group D. They might want to win their subsequent two video games in opposition to the Netherlands and Wales to face an opportunity of progressing to the knockout rounds.