France defeat defending champions England at Euro 2025
Lauren James returned to Sarina Wiegman's starting XI and England thought they had struck first against the 2022 semi-finalists but had an early Alessia Russo effort chalked off after a VAR check.
Instead Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired in a 36th-minute opener before Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore doubled France's lead three minutes later.
Late substitutions sparked England into life in the closing stages and Keira Walsh gave them hope, halving the deficit in the 87th minute, but they could not salvage a point.
James got herself involved inside the first minute, latching on to the ball inside France's penalty area before firing a left-footed effort aimed at the top corner off-target.
Three minutes later, the Chelsea forward was skipping around the edge of the area, sending in a cross that just evaded several England heads.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton got her first taste of major tournament action when she came out to collect Selma Bacha's free-kick, earning an appreciative round of applause from the England delegation stationed behind her.
Russo thought she had scored after pouncing on the rebound from Lauren Hemp's saved effort, but a VAR check determined Beth Mead had been marginally offside in the build-up to Hemp's initial attempt and the goal was ruled out.
Momentum shifted in France's favour, their efforts inching ever closer as Hampton was forced into a good save, sticking out a leg to deny Elisa De Almeida.
And it was the Paris St Germain defender whose initial midfield interception was the catalyst for the opener, finding Delphine Cascarino with a well-weighted pass.
England lose possession and France capitalise via a goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/vgcKVI3e7S
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 5, 2025
San Diego Wave forward Cascarino then sent the ball across the face of goal, where Katoto obligingly tapped in.
Baltimore doubled their advantage three minutes later, Leah Williamson and her Chelsea team-mate Lucy Bronze unable to contain the in-form Blues star before she rifled into the top right corner.
VAR ruled – much to Wiegman's visible chagrin – that Russo had not been fouled in the build-up.
The second half got off to a lively start for France, with Hampton denying Grace Geyoro but fumbling her save and having to scramble back just in time to prevent more damage.
James' evening ended after 60 minutes as part of a triple-change for Wiegman.
England looked to be running out of time and chances by the 77th minute when Grace Clinton made her major tournament debut, followed by Michelle Agyemang's minutes later.
But England were suddenly sparked to life, substitute Ella Toone nearly halving the deficit with a deflected effort.
Walsh finally clawed one back after France could not fully clear an England corner, the Chelsea midfielder taking advantage, guiding a shot past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin from the edge of the area to give the Lionesses a fighting chance.
But, while they finally looked a threat, five minutes of added time were not enough to salvage a draw.
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Jude Bellingham's new £7m DOUBLE pad includes ‘personal barbershop & trophy room' – but tiny village has a dark side
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Bellingham, who turned 22 last month, bought the two-acre plot in Barnt Green a year ago and building work on the two detached properties where he and his parents will live is almost complete. Advertisement READ MORE NEWS Builders 'putting final touches' to homes Builders are putting the final touches to the brick and stone mansions and landscaping around the properties is due to begin later this summer. The properties are surrounded by other multimillion pound homes in the quiet tree-lined street less than a mile from the centre of Barn Green village. Although locals enjoy catching a glimpse of the superstar footballers, they say their arrival in the village, as well as numerous wealthy businessmen including Gym Shark founder Ben Francis and singer Jamelia, has led to an alarming spate of burglaries in recent months. One local said there is now a burglary almost every week in the area, including the theft of a luxury sports car from the driveway of one of Bellingham's neighbours late last month. Advertisement Most read in Football The local, who asked not to be named, said: 'It is becoming a real problem now. There's a burglary almost every week , but the perpetrators are never caught. 'I've seen the burglars myself. I was walking along the street a few weeks ago and two men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas shot past me. Jude Bellingham reveals rivalry with brother Jobe at Club World Cup in cheeky interview "They were legging it at speed from one of the houses here that they's obviously been robbing from. One of them had like a thick postbag in his hand as they ran past. It was terrifying 'It is becoming such a regular thing here now but I don't understand why the cops aren't doing more to try and find the perpetrators. You never see a police car patrolling these streets around here. 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Advertisement 'However, I think the escalation in crime is a direct result of word going around that there are a lot of footballers and other high-value individuals living here." On the high street in Barnt Green, the football stars are regularly seen shopping and eating out at several upmarket market cafes and restaurants. 16 The new home reportedly includes a barbershop Credit: Instagram @thecamavingahouse 16 Butcher Warwick Savage used to sell sausages to Jack Grealish Credit: Roland Leon Advertisement 16 David Clifford, manager of pizza restaurant Cofton, says he regularly serves celebs Credit: Roland Leon 16 Villa striker Watkins, in particular, is a regular at a pizza restaurant, Cofton on the Green, in the village. Owner David Clifford, 64, says Watkins likes to fire up his performances with pepperoni pizza. Advertisement Mr Clifford said: 'Ollie is a regular customer and he is always friendly and very down-to-earth. He comes in with his family. Sometimes he'll eat in, or on the terrace outside, but often he'll grab a takeaway. 'He's always nice to the staff and happy to pose for a selfie with locals. He's just a great guy. 'We've also had Jack Grealish in a few times, but not so much since he moved to Man City. "Matty Cash is a another regular and, again, a lovely bloke. They are all heroes to people around here and we're super proud of them.' Advertisement Across the road, at Warwick's butchers, owner Warwick Savage, 53, revealed that before he moved to Man City, the then-Aston Villa star Grealish used to visit his shop every week to buy dozens of local Lashford sausages. Mr Clifford, himself a Liverpool fan, said: 'Good old Jackie must have been living on the bloody things, he was buying so many. 'Not that I blame him – they're made in Birmingham and they're probably the best sausages in the world. If you haven't tried them already, you should. Everyone should. They are very meaty and there's no rubbish in them." 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'Often, a few hours before they come in, they'll phone up to check we've got the kind of food they eat, which is usually lean meat and fish with pasta. 'They like their vegetables too. They look after their bodies and they are particular about what they eat because they have to stay healthy and they need good quality protein in their diet. 'They're just regular guys who have done well for themselves, but they have no airs and graces. Advertisement "They're just decent people and we are always happy to see them here. They've got time for everybody but they know they can come here and not get too much hassle from the general public." 'No wonder footballers want to live here' Staff at local estate agents Oulsnam say Barnt Green is popular because of its rural vibe in a village just eight miles from Britain's second city, Birmingham. Prices for detached homes on their books range from £500 to £4m, while smart semis start at £400,000. 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13 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
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