One of the biggest shocks about the Women’s Euros – and they haven’t even started yet – is the defeat that Sarina Weigman’s side had in the qualifiers. The 2025 Women’s Euro Qualifiers are underway, and we are treated to some of the most exciting games that we have seen since the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this past summer.
There have been tense matchups, like Ireland vs. Sweden, and intense rivalries, like England vs. France. If you saw England’s team on the sheet, you would think that they would win any game that comes their way. But, the French team had another thought in mind. During the first leg in the Women’s Euro qualifiers, France came away with the much-deserved 3 points that saw England needing to win their next match to get even with Les Blues.
France vs. England Women’s Euro 2025 – How it Happened
Team. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XPE7r3ATYI
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 5, 2024
So, how did Les Bleues win against the almighty Lionesses last week? Marie-Antoinette Katoto had a fantastic second-half goal that saw France win 2-1 against a tough England side that had teammates like Chloe Kelly come off the bench to provide a needed energetic spark. After their big win, France was on top of the A3 section with nine points in just three games, whereas Sweden was in second place after easily winning against the ‘Girls in Green’ when they played Ireland on the same day.
Beth Mead started the Lionesses off on the right foot, as she scored on the half-hour mark for the English team, looking to seal another victory and keep them at the top of the table. However, their celebrations were short-lived, as Dali sent a pinpoint accurate cross into the box that found the foot of Elisa de Almeida to score right before halftime.
Katoto scored in the 68th minute and England couldn’t do enough to pull one back in the last twenty minutes of the game. Hannah Hampton, the England secondary goalkeeper, saw the ball whizz past her into the back of the net after the starting number one keeper, Earps, went down injured in just the 8th minute of play.
France winning hindered England’s chances of earning an automatic promotion to the Women’s Euro official competition next year.
Also Read: Top 2 Reasons Why Victor Osimhen Won’t Leave Napoli After The Transfer Window
England vs. France – Rematch
However, this wasn’t the end of the story. England would face off against France once more, today, to see if they could capture the three points back and get bragger’s rights that they are still one of the best in the world.
Georgia Stanway, the tenacious Bayern Munich midfielder, and Alessia Russo, the infamous England striker, both netted for England to send them ahead 2-1 in their final game against France. This not only put them back on track to qualify for the Women’s Euros in 2025, but it also helped their confidence going into the next games.
Stanway started the scoring off early in the first half, as Hemp dribbled inside of the box, shielding the ball, and passing to Stanway who was outside of the box waiting for the back pass. She had a powerful strike that whizzed past the keeper into the top corner.
Only ten minutes later, England found their second goal when she crossed the ball with pinpoint accuracy into the oncoming run of Russo who headed the ball past the French keeper. Hemp created so many chances in this game, cementing her spot in the starting lineup.
Now, England faces off against Ireland in July and plays Sweden for their final group match to see if they can gain automatic qualification for the Women’s Euros next year by finishing in the top two of their group.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
