- Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo struck within the first half for the Lionesses
- Kadidiatou Diani pulled one again from the penalty spot however England held on
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It’s when their credentials are thrown into query that this England crew appear to provide their greatest performances.
Not since 1973 had the Lionesses managed to beat France away from residence. However on an evening the place they wanted to show why they’re the reigning European champions, they responded emphatically. Kathryn Batte on the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
England had didn’t gentle up this Euro 2025 qualifying group earlier than final night time’s sport. Performances had felt, for probably the most half, flat and predictable. That they had seemed drained and, at occasions, seemingly out of concepts. England are nonetheless one of many world’s greatest groups, even when they haven’t proven it sufficient because the World Cup.
When Georgia Stanway’s 25-yard pile driver flew into the again of the web, it felt like a mix of built-up frustration, ardour and want all into one.
After Stanway’s tremendous strike had given them carry off, two of the celebs of final summer season, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo, mixed for a second purpose earlier than half-time. England had not likely acquired near the performances we noticed at Euro 2022 for a while however final night time was like rewinding the clock. It was the Lionesses at their greatest. Free-flowing, fearless, attacking soccer.
There was nonetheless sloppiness at occasions, with a carless piece of defending offering France with a penalty and route again into the sport within the seventieth minute. However total, this efficiency was a reminder that, ought to they go on to safe qualification for subsequent summer season’s event, they are going to as soon as once more be contenders.
With solely two groups progressing robotically from this four-team group, it was essential England picked up a constructive end in Saint-Etienne.
France’s victory over the Lionesses at St James’ Park 5 days earlier had left Sarina Wiegman’s facet in third place coming into final night time’s sport. Sweden’s slim win towards the Republic of Eire earlier within the day had additionally added an additional degree of stress.
Wiegman had been questioned over whether or not her ways and crew choice had grow to be too predictable after final week’s defeat at St James’ Park.
The England supervisor had insisted they didn’t want to change their type of play and caught to her weapons by naming the identical 10 outfield gamers that began the primary fixture with Les Blues, with Hannah Hampton changing an injured Mary Earps in purpose.
France, who had been pretty defensive within the first fixture, made two adjustments and in addition switched to a extra attack-minded formation.
Whereas it noticed England put underneath extra stress in their very own field than that they had been final week, it meant there have been gaps they may exploit on the different finish of the pitch. Alessia Russo ought to maybe have put England forward when she related with Beth Mead’s cross, however might solely fireplace broad from shut vary.
The Lionesses had been on prime, however the ultimate go and end was evading them. That was till a thunderbolt from the sting of the field supplied the spark that they had been missing. Lauren Hemp discovered area on the left and teed up Stanway, who arrowed an unstoppable shot previous Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
France had been in disarray and simply previous the hour mark England doubled their lead when Russo flicked Hemp’s inch-perfect cross into the underside left nook.
France had didn’t have a shot heading in the right direction till England offered them with their first alternative within the seventieth minute.
Ella Toone was carelessly caught in possession in her personal half and Grace Geyoro drove into the field earlier than being tripped by Leah Williamson. It was a transparent penalty and Kadidiatou Diani stepped as much as ship Hampton the mistaken means.
France piled on the stress as the sport grew to a detailed and England wanted an enormous save from Hampton to forestall Marie-Antoinette Katoto from equalising on the dying.
