France defeat holders England 2-1 to stay top of Euro 2025 qualifying group
Marie-Antoinette Katoto's second-half goal gave France a 2-1 victory over reigning champions England in their Women's Euro 2025 qualifying match at St James' Park on Friday, keeping Les Bleues in first place in the group.
France leads section A3 with nine points after three games, while the Lionesses' loss dropped them to third place, trailing Sweden, which defeated Ireland 3-0 earlier on Friday.
Sweden and England have four points each, but Sweden lead on goal difference. The Irish are at the bottom of the standings with no points.
"Absolutely frustrating," said England manager Sarina Wiegman. "I thought we played pretty well. We conceded two goals out of set plays, which we have to be really better."
Beth Mead put the hosts ahead on the half-hour mark, latching onto Lauren Hemp's low cross and firing home from close range.
France upped their game, and Elisa de Almeida volleyed home Kenza Dali's corner kick in the 41st minute. Katoto put the visitors ahead after 68 minutes, turning and shooting into the far corner past Hannah Hampton, the substitute goalkeeper.
England, whose six-game unbeaten streak came to an end, lost starting goalkeeper Mary Earps to injury after just eight minutes. While Wiegman stated that she did not know the severity of Earps' injury, the Manchester United goalkeeper left the stadium on crutches.
"It was a strange start. That's not the way we were expecting, and we had to get organised again (after the early keeper substitution)," said Wiegman.
World No. 2 England and third-ranked France will meet again on Tuesday in Saint-Etienne in a game with significant ramifications.
The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to next year's European Championship in Switzerland, with the remaining seven spots determined by two rounds of playoffs in the autumn.
Sweden will look for another three points when they host winless Ireland on Tuesday.
The Lionesses will host Ireland on July 12 before playing Sweden away four days later in their final group game.
"There is still lots to win," Wiegman said. "This is disappointing but tomorrow review and then that's done and go into Tuesday with a chance to play again, win again."
In other League A games on Friday, World Cup champions Spain defeated Denmark 2-0, Norway and Italy drew 0-0, Austria and Iceland drew 1-1, the Netherlands edged Finland 1-0, Germany crushed Poland 4-1, and Belgium defeated the Czech Republic 2-1.
SportsLigue