The opening match of the Women’s Euro 2025 in Zurich delivered a dramatic and sobering start for the defending champions, England, who were edged out 2-1 by a determined and skillful French side. This defeat marks a significant moment in the tournament, as England became the first reigning champions to lose their opening game at the Women’s Euros, setting a tense tone for their title defense.
France, ranked 10th in the world, came into the tournament with a point to prove, and their performance against England was a statement of intent. The match saw Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore score crucial first-half goals just three minutes apart, giving France a commanding lead at halftime. Their attacking prowess was on full display, with Baltimore and Elisa de Almeida causing consistent problems for England’s defense, particularly troubling defenders Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter.
England started brightly, with Lauren James, included in the starting XI, immediately making an impact. Within the first minute, James fired a shot over the bar and shortly after delivered a dangerous cross that narrowly missed Lauren Hemp at the back post. Despite these early signs of promise, the Lionesses struggled to contain the French attack as the match progressed.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made her first start at a major tournament for England and faced relentless pressure, especially from France’s wide players. The French midfield, led by Grace Geyoro, dominated the center of the park, with Karchaoui and Jean-François providing energy and control. France’s manager Laurent Bonadei showed faith in youth by starting 21-year-old Alice Sombath, while England’s 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang made a noticeable impact as a late substitute.
England’s defensive frailties were exposed repeatedly. Captain Leah Williamson candidly admitted after the match, “We lost the game with poor defending one-on-one. Not good enough with the ball, we weren't good enough.” The team’s inability to maintain composure and control in critical moments allowed France to capitalize and build a lead that proved decisive.
Manager Sarina Wiegman, who suffered her first-ever loss at the Euros, expressed her disappointment but also took responsibility for the tactical approach. “We started well and scored a goal but unfortunately it didn’t count. And then we played our way out of the game by not being tight enough. Then they scored two goals and we really tried to get back at the end, but we didn’t,” Wiegman said. She highlighted that England’s choice to play short passes under pressure played into France’s hands, stating, “We caused our own problems.”
The match was not without controversy. England had a goal disallowed for offside, with Alessia Russo feeling aggrieved by a foul that went uncalled in the build-up to France’s second goal. Russo commented, “I don’t comment on the referee’s decisions but to me as a nine I’m used to getting challenges like that and I did feel like it was a foul but it’s football.”
Despite the setback, England showed resilience late in the game. Keira Walsh scored a brilliant goal in the 87th minute, firing a shot from the edge of the box after a cleared corner to reignite hopes of a comeback. The Lionesses ramped up the pressure in the final minutes, switching to a back three and pushing players forward, with fresh legs from Michelle Agyemang and Grace Clinton adding urgency. However, France’s defense held firm, with Selma Bacha clearing a critical shot from Lauren Hemp off the line in stoppage time.
England’s defenders acknowledged the psychological impact of the match. Jess Carter admitted, “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.” This mindset contributed to England’s struggles to impose their game plan against a confident French side.
Veteran defender Alex Greenwood, who earned her 100th cap in the match, reflected on the result with a balanced perspective. “It was a disappointing result. I think we finished the game strong but we don’t want to be in situations like that where we are finishing games like that,” she said. Greenwood noted that England started well but lost momentum after the disallowed goal, facing an uphill battle thereafter.
The loss places England in a precarious position within Group D. With the Netherlands having beaten Wales 3-0 earlier on the same day and currently topping the group, England face an uphill battle to progress. Their next match against the Netherlands on July 9 in Zurich is essentially a knockout tie, with elimination looming if England fail to secure a win and France either beat or draw with Wales in St. Gallen.
The match also highlighted some off-field challenges for England, who entered the tournament after a fraught training camp. The international retirements of long-serving players Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, along with Chelsea’s Millie Bright making herself unavailable, left gaps in experience and leadership. These absences may have contributed to the team’s vulnerability in such a high-stakes match.
France’s performance was a clear signal that they are serious contenders in this tournament. Their physicality, energy, and tactical discipline, particularly from their wings, overwhelmed England for large periods. While France lacked clinical edge at times and could have extended their lead, their control and composure under pressure were impressive.
Looking ahead, England must regroup quickly. Captain Leah Williamson emphasized the need for accountability and adaptation: “Everyone [needs to] take responsibility for themselves and have a look. Tomorrow we have new gameplan. Different places available and different opposition.” Sarina Wiegman echoed this sentiment, urging the team to stick together and improve: “We can’t afford to make more mistakes. We have to step up. Then we recover and it’s onto the Netherlands.”
The Women’s Euro 2025 continues to unfold with intense competition and high stakes. Hosts Switzerland and Iceland, as well as Spain and Portugal, are also making headlines with their performances, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament. For England, the path forward is clear but challenging: they must overcome their early setbacks and rediscover the form that made them champions.
As the group stage progresses, all eyes will be on England’s upcoming matches, particularly the crucial clash with the Netherlands. Will the Lionesses mount a comeback and defend their crown, or will France’s victory mark the beginning of a changing of the guard in European women’s football? The answer will begin to take shape in the days ahead.
