France outlast Lionesses 2-1 to end Sarina Wiegman's Euros record: Briefing

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19 hours ago

Sarina Wiegman is no longer perfect in the Euros competition.
France defeated England 2-1 on Saturday in group D of Euro 2025, handing Wiegman her first loss outside of a tournament final, dating back to her time with the Netherlands.
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Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scored for France three minutes apart in the first half, taking advantage of England's outside backs. While Lionesses midfielder Keira Walsh struck back in the 87th minute, it, along with England's changes at half time, were not enough to overcome the deficit.
England now face a mountain as high as the Alps that spread across the host nation, Switzerland, to get out of the group following the Netherlands' 3-0 win over Wales earlier in the day.
Here are some of the key factors from the pivotal Euro 2025 group D matchup…
Baltimore shines for France
Lucy Bronze said before this match that she was excited to see how Chelsea team-mate Baltimore would fare at this tournament. That excitement is likely to have turned into dread by the end of the first half.
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Baltimore ran the show for France, with a lethal mix of physicality and pace. She caused havoc against Lucy Bronze and by the end of the first half, Lauren James was dropping back to help deal with her, which helped nullify England's attacking threat.
The French winger showed extraordinary composure and skill to score her side's second goal. When Bronze came flying in to catch up, her Chelsea team-mate left her on the ground with her clever footwork.
Next, Baltimore knocked it around Leah Williamson, leaving the England captain nonplussed, then fired between defender Alex Greenwood and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton into the far side of the net. It was a ruthless display of individual brilliance, and Wales and the Netherlands will not look forward to dealing with her.
Lack of answers on England's bench
England's run to the European title in 2022 was characterised by key goals off the bench. There are certainly squad players at this tournament who can change games, but tonight none could help England the way they needed.
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There is plenty of goalscoring talent on England's bench, such as 2022 super-sub Ella Toone, and teenage forward Michelle Agyemang. However, none of those players solved England's key problems: struggling to defend the wings and gain control of the midfield.
Holding midfielder Walsh might have scored an excellent consolation goal, but she could not stay on the ball nor pick out passes in the middle of the park. England's starting full-backs Carter and Bronze were run ragged by France's Delphine Cascarino and Baltimore in the first half, but Wiegman lacked experienced options to replace them.
Though Niamh Charles eventually came on for Carter, and Maya Le Tissier is viewed by Wiegman as an option at right-back, neither feels like a tried-and-trusted backup.
England's bench had the answers to the questions asked of Wiegman in 2022, but it didn't tonight.
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England's defence struggled against France
Charles was handed the England No 3 shirt for Euro 2025, perhaps an indication that she would be Wiegman's starting left-back at the tournament, having rotated with Carter over the past 12 months. However, it was Carter who was selected against France. She is considered one of England's best one-v-one defenders and was an understandable choice given the strength France boast on either flank.
Carter was, however, given the runaround by Cascarino in the opening 45 minutes. The warning signs had been there before the France winger scurried in behind and picked out Katoto for the opening goal. Carter's night ended on the hour mark as she was replaced by Charles.
On the opposite flank, Bronze did not enjoy a much better time of it up against Baltimore. A trademark lung-busting run mid-way through the first half left her out of position, and the untracked Sakina Karchaoui nearly capitalised. Having already seen Baltimore weave past her earlier in the half, she stumbled as her Chelsea team-mate spectacularly doubled France's advantage.
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England's full-back struggles were in stark contrast to the excellent Elisa De Almeida at right-back for France. De Almeida nullified Lauren Hemp, often among England's most dangerous attacking outlets, and rightly received the plaudits from the France bench for her key role in her side's second goal.
What does this mean for England's Euro defence?
Starting a major tournament with a defeat is uncharted territory for Wiegman's England. The last time the Lionesses were beaten in their opening group stage match was at the 2015 World Cup — against France.
England did recover in 2015 and reached the semi-finals, but they find themselves in a particularly tough group this time around.
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Wiegman's former side, the Netherlands, are up next, who impressed in their 3-0 win over Wales in the day's earlier game. Matches between England and the Netherlands have been typically tightly-contested in the past, with a win apiece in the 2023-24 Nations League.
Wiegman's side will need to take all three points to ensure their fate remains in their own hands heading into their final group fixture against Wales. If England lose to the Netherlands and France avoid defeat against Wales, the Lionesses will exit a major tournament at the group stages for the first time since Euro 2013.
What's up next?
Group D continues on Wednesday, July 9, when England and the Netherlands square off at 5 pm BST and France takes on Wales at 8 pm BST. The Netherlands lead the group on goal differential, followed by France, England and Wales.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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