We caused our own problems, says England boss Sarina Wiegman after France defeat
But England struggled to get a shot on target, ending the contest with just two, and, while late substitutions sparked the Lionesses into life in the closing stages, Keira Walsh's 87th-minute goal proved mere consolation.
Sarina Wiegman's #WEURO2025 opening Group D game assessment ⬇️
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 5, 2025
'Of course, I'm very disappointed,' said Wiegman. 'I think we started well. After that, of course we know France are very good, but we created chances (for France) by playing short passes all the time. We were a bit sloppy too.'
It was a first major tournament group-stage defeat for the Dutch head coach, who won the Euros with the Netherlands in 2017 before leading England to a maiden major trophy three summers ago.
She added: 'When we built, we chose to do short passes and they were aiming for that.
'They were pretty good in midfield, so I think we had to go around at moments. On the right side, we had overloads where we could find that, but then you have to skip players and not play the short passes, but when you receive them you have to be tighter on the ball and be quicker.
'We played out of that press that developed too, so I think we caused a bit of our own problems, knowing that when you don't do these things right against France, it's a very good team so they can harm you.'
How things stand after Matchday 1 📈#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/qK5VJZPpvU
— UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 5, 2025
The Lionesses' task does not get any easier, with the Netherlands on Wednesday now looking even more like a must-win game to avoid the genuine possibility of an early exit.
Lauren James, who returned from a three-month hamstring injury absence in a 30-minute cameo in their Jamaica send-off friendly on Sunday, was deemed fit to start and played an hour.
The Chelsea forward looked a threat on the ball, missing a good chance in the first minute before her attempt to tee up a team-mate with a cross evaded several English heads.
Asked if it was an error to start the 23-year-old, Wiegman said: 'No. I don't see it as a mistake. It's a choice and I think if she'd scored in the first minute and if the cross she made, we just couldn't get a head on, I think it would have been a different conversation.'
Captain Leah Williamson told ITV she felt the Lionesses 'defended cheaply in one-on-ones' and also lost the ball 'cheaply, (so) you're defending in an emergency'.
Fellow defender Jess Carter said: 'I think we played like we were a little bit scared today, maybe we weren't aggressive enough, we maybe were worrying about their threats in behind and what they can do rather than doing what we can do.'
But Carter shrugged off the suggestion England now have a big uphill battle, adding: 'I don't really think it's any different, before the tournament even started we knew we had to win games and we set out to win every single game and that doesn't change now.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
29 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Monday's briefing: Arsenal sign Zubimendi but no Vardy party at Rangers yet
Arsenal have signed midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The Spain international, 26, moves to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term deal after the Gunners reportedly triggered his £51million release clause. Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid. Zubimendi told the club website: 'This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. 'I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.' Hemp knows the score Lauren Hemp in action for England (Adam Davy/PA) Forward Lauren Hemp insists England know what is at stake when they play the Netherlands on Wednesday as they bid to keep their European title defence alive. The Lionesses' backs are against the wall after suffering an tournament-opening 2-1 defeat to France to set up what is already being billed as a 'must-win' meeting with 2017 champions the Netherlands. 'This team, a lot of the time, we thrive under pressure,' said Manchester City forward Hemp. 'Obviously it's one of those situations. Every game we go into, we want to win. 'From how we acted in the last 10 minutes (against France), we know what's at stake, and obviously we want to get as far as we can. 'We are reigning champions. It is important to remember that and gain confidence from that.' Martin quiet on Vardy Jamie Vardy is a free agent after leaving Leicester (Nigel French/PA) Russell Martin refused to be drawn on reports linking Rangers with a move for former England and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy. The 38-year-old forward, who has seen a move to Genoa fall through, has now been heavily touted for a switch to Ibrox after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season. Recently appointed Rangers boss Martin remained coy but refused to dismiss the prospect, when asked after his side's 2-2 pre-season friendly draw at home to Club Brugge on Sunday if Vardy was a target. 'I think I've been asked about so many players,' he said. 'Some miles away, some on the money. So basically, I'm not going to give you an answer on that. 'But I guess you'll find out who's real and who's not in the next few weeks.' What's on today? In the women's Euros, Spain continue their Group B campaign against Belgium, while Portugal take on Italy.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal's missing piece as Mikel Arteta's patience pays off
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Zubimendi with the midfielder heading to the Emirates from Real Sociedad in a £51million transfer Martin Zubimendi has been part of Mikel Arteta's midfield masterplan for more than a year. And now finally, Arsenal boss Arteta has got the missing piece of the jigsaw with the £51m arrival of one of Europe's top midfielders. Arteta actually wanted to buy Zubimendi AND Mikel Merino last summer but Real Sociedad did not want to sell both their star midfielders in the same transfer window. Merino, 29, arrived in a £32m deal but Arsenal used that as an opportunity to sew the seeds for the Zubimendi deal and were prepared to be patient. This, after all, was a player they had tracked and tried to get even before last summer but Zubimendi has always been a 'home bird,' reluctant to leave his home in San Sebastián after 15 years at Real Sociedad. Liverpool thought they had a deal with Zubimendi last summer but the Spain international did not want to move and it was clearly Arsenal's long-standing interest and Arteta which have been key. Arteta championed the deal because they knew Thomas Partey and Jorginho were into the final year of their deals while Zubimendi was the Arsenal manager's dream midfield anchorman. Zubimendi, 26, has already won the Euros with Spain so is a top class performer with an ability to control games, set the tempo and is seen as a hard worker with a strong mentality. His passing range is key with accuracy and decisive passes. He is also very rarely injured and that will be crucial for Arsenal after last season saw so many players - including big new signing Riccardo Calafiori - on the treatment table. The arrival may also unlock Merino's full potential as they are friends, teammates reunited and also have dovetailed well together in the past. It gives Arsenal options and the ability to use Declan Rice to push further forward which has become such a part of his game while they also have Christian Norgaard on the horizon as back-up and competition plus Martin Odegaard as the creator in chief. But because of Zubimendi's loyalty to Real Sociedad - any transfer would be a huge step for him both personally and for his career - it was vital that Arsenal got it tied down. They stayed in constant contact with Zubimendi and Real Sociedad, agreed the deal back in March which meant everything was in place for this summer to complete the medical and formalities. When Real Madrid showed even the slightest of interest as Xabi Alonso took charge, there was never any danger. It was all done for Arsenal. When Andrea Berta joined as sporting director, it was obvious that he was just as much on board as Arteta. The problem Arsenal have had is that this deal has felt like it was done months ago. It is missing a sense of surprise and excitement - because everyone has known it was coming. But the fact is Arsenal have signed one of the best midfielders in Europe and Zubimendi is a significant upgrade on last season with the options and quality he brings. Zubimendi told the Arsenal website: 'Once I made the decision to leave, I set my sights on Arsenal because I think their style of play is a good fit for me. It's a young, highly motivated and ambitious team. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best is yet to come. 'As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta took excellent care of me, leaving me with no doubts whatsoever. This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for; one I wanted to make. Of course, it's a big change, but I'm ready to get started.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Jamie Redknapp joins his stunning wife Frida as well as chic Binky Felstead and Alex Jones as they led the celebrities at day six of Wimbledon
was joined by his stunning wife Frida as they attended day six of Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday. The couple led the celebrity arrivals for the Tennis Championships with Binky Felstead and Alex Jones also in attendance. Saturday's tennis action will see Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner as men's headliners at the All England Club, while Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva and Barbora Krejcikova will play on the women's side. Jamie looks smart in a clean-cut navy blue suit with a white shirt while Frida wore a co-ordinating collared midi dress. Binky showed off her chic sense of style in a yellow two-piece set consisting of a tailored waistcoat and high waisted shorts. The former Made In Chelsea star teamed her outfit with a matching pair of mules and carried a woven clutch bag. Alex wore an elegant polka dot dress that featured a highneck and semi-sheer tiered skirt. Actor Glen Powell opted for a chequered beige suit which he teamed with a white shirt and brown loafers. The presenter topped off her look with a pair of strappy heels and added a brown leather crossbody handbag. Saturday will see Djokovic take on Miomir Kecmanovic in the prime-time slot after Sinner has played Pedro Martinez. For the women, Swiatek will play Danielle Collins, while Krejcikova prepares to take on Emma Navarro. Earlier this year, former footballer and Sky soccer pundit Jamie was banned from driving for twelve months today for clocking-up multiple speeding offences. It was the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC star's second driving ban for speeding, meaning he was disqualified for twice the usual length of time. The former England international, who lives in a six-bedroom £10.5m house in Kensington, did not appear at Bexley Magistrates Court. He pleaded guilty in advance of the hearing and declared his income to the court as £9,230 per week. Redknapp pleaded guilty to exceeding the 20mph limit on June 26, last year on the A219 Putney Hill, near the junction of Westleigh Avenue, Putney, where a camera snapped him doing 26mph. He also admitted exceeding the 50mph limit on November 2, last year on the M4 near Burghfield, Reading, where he was caught driving at 58mph. On both occasions Redknapp was driving a brand new black electric Audi Q8.
