Frail, exposed and outgunned Lionesses in real danger of premature exit

Times

a day ago

England's worst fears are realised. The Lionesses began their Euros title defence by letting France outgun, outrun and overpower them, and they will almost certainly be knocked out on Wednesday if they lose to the Netherlands, who beat Wales 3-0 earlier yesterday.
England can point to several marginal calls going France's way but they reacted poorly to their bad luck, could not handle France's searing attack, and were 2-0 down at half-time. Keira Walsh's goal set up a frantic finale but France held on, despite Michelle Agyemang being denied by Selma Bacha's heroic block and Bacha clearing Lauren Hemp's shot off the line.
The late rally cannot mask England's frailties during what was Sarina Wiegman's first Euros loss in her 13th match as head coach. Jess Carter was exposed at left back. Keira Walsh was isolated in midfield.
The entire defence struggled with France's raw pace — as it also did against less talented but similarly fast forwards in South Africa and Belgium.
Lauren James was named in England's XI, meaning she started for the first time in three months. The Chelsea forward looked good off the bench in last Sunday's 7-0 win over Jamaica — which was her comeback from a hamstring injury — and replaced Ella Toone in England's only change from that victory. Elsewhere, Alex Greenwood partnered Leah Williamson at centre back to earn her 100th cap. England started quickly. James wasted a good chance by firing over inside 38 seconds, but swiftly sent in a teasing cross that was more encouraging — even if it narrowly eluded Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
France found their feet, but lacked the incisiveness of James. She appeared to have created the opener after 15 minutes by gliding through the France midfield and finding Beth Mead with a sweeping pass. Mead found Hemp, whose shot was saved before Russo steered home the rebound. Yet England's celebrations were short-lived, with the semi-automated technology revealing that Mead's shoulder was barely millimetres offside. Mead was gaining no advantage but razor-tight, somewhat confounding decisions are inevitable in the age of VAR.
In any case, France were galvanised by the reprieve and England reacted poorly to the false dawn. Hannah Hampton, perhaps embodying the pressure of the Mary Earps comparisons on her major-tournament debut, was fortunate that Sakina Karchaoui sent a lob wide when the England goalkeeper was stranded. Hampton did save well from Élisa De Almeida, but it merely delayed France's onslaught.
De Almeida soon picked off a limp Georgia Stanway pass and caught Jess Carter out of position with a ball down the right to Delphine Cascarino, who had the beating of Carter throughout the first half. Cascarino crossed to Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who lost Williamson with a dash of clever movement and had a tap-in.
Suddenly, France's momentum was too much for an increasingly lethargic England. Three minutes later, France regained possession in the opposition half, Sandy Baltimore barged off Lucy Bronze and weaved past a flat-footed Williamson, then fired past Hampton.
The goal stood despite a VAR check for a possible foul in the build-up. Although Maëlle Lakrar clipped Russo's foot before winning the ball, it was probably a 50-50 call. Sarina Wiegman, who perhaps still had England's disallowed goal in mind, was left uncharacteristically spewing on the touchline. She had a huge job to do at half-time. However, she made no changes. Wiegman rarely veers from plan A easily, but England needed a fresh injection of spark and bite. Mead tried to bring some energy by bumping Karchaoui off the ball and bearing down on goal, but the referee believed she had committed a foul. Wiegman was furious again, as was Mead.
Still, England remained laboured. Russo, coming off such a brilliant season with Arsenal, wasted a promising opening with a heavy touch.
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At the other end, Hampton just about kept out Grace Geyoro's low drive after Mead inadvertently created the chance with a terribly sloppy pass. Carter's struggles continued, with a lightning-quick one-two leaving her isolated and characterising her lack of control or support.
The left back was one of three hauled off on the hour, as she was replaced by Niamh Charles. James and Mead also made way for Toone and Chloe Kelly. Neat players, but neither teem with the dynamism England required.
By contrast, France could substitute Baltimore and Cascarino for a couple more electric attackers in Kadidiatou Diani and Melvine Malard.
Diani nearly profited from an inexcusable Hampton fumble, but England scrambled to safety to avoid further embarrassment.
That Karchaoui did not even receive a yellow card for sliding her studs into Williamson's left knee would have only fuelled England's sense of injustice. Toone then received the game's first booking for a challenge nowhere near as bad.
Just as England's hopes seemed extinguished, Walsh scored with their first shot on target by finishing well after a corner was cleared to her. Seconds earlier, Wiegman had sent on Agyemang, the imposing 19-year-old, to try to replicate France's attacking presence. She made an impact, but it was too little, too late.
France (4-3-3): P Peyraud-Magnin — É De Almeida (M N'Dongala 80min), M Lakrar, A Sombath, S Bacha — S Karchaoui (S Toletti 80), O Jean-François, G Geyoro — S Baltimore (M Malard 62), M Katoto (C Mateo 62), D Cascarino (K Diani 62).
England (4-2-3-1): H Hampton — L Bronze, L Williamson, A Greenwood (M Agyemang 86min), J Carter (N Charles 60) — K Walsh, G Stanway (G Clinton 77) — B Mead (C Kelly 60), L James (E Toone 60), L Hemp — A Russo.