The Champion partnership of EURO 2O22 made it’s return, as Millie Bright and Leah Williamson slide into Sarina Wiegman’s starting eleven. Though hard done by was Alex Greenwood, after a stellar campaign has seen her prove one of the best in her position on a global front.

ENG: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Carter; Walsh, Stanway, Toone; Hemp, Russo, Mead

FRA: Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Lakrar, Renard, Bacha; Toletti, Karchaoui, Dali; Diani, Katoto, Cascarino

All was underway at St. James Park, as England hosted France in the second game week of the EURO 2025 Qualifying Stages. Play was halted just a minute in, as Mary Earps was down and receiving treatment after a non-contact fall saw her in notable discomfort. Despite remaining on the field for a minute more, Earps was unable to continue as Hannah Hampton took her place.

The deadlock was broken following an uneventful first half of proceedings, as the hosts finally made their attacking presence known. Leah Williamson split open the play from the defensive third as she located Ella Toone in the centre of the pitch. Toone rotated to find Hemp in the wide channel, as the latter sent her cross low into the area. A challenge between Georgia Stanway and Selma Bacha caused a collision, before Beth Mead slotted home the crumbs from close range.

Celebrations would be short-lived for the hosts, as France responded just before the break. A set piece delivery from a corner saw a moment of brilliance ensue, as Élisa de Almeida’s one-touch finish saw her loft a strike into the top-left corner despite the diving effort from Hampton.

England looked likely to scrape back the advantage as the seconds ticked down on the opening interval, whilst Lucy Bronze located Beth Mead. Mead cut back on her left, before curling her strike toward the bottom left corner. A brilliant diving effort from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin denied the Arsenal winger of her brace as she palmed the strike away from danger.

End-to-end football ensued as the second half ran its time at St James Park, as both sides fought amidst two-way traffic to find the advantage.

The 67th minute would see the deadlock broken once again, though this time by the visitors. Failure to clear away the clutter from the corner delivery saw England scramble inside of the area, before Marie-Antoinette Katoto capitalised on the opportunity to nestle her strike into the bottom-right corner.

England looked short for answers as the clock ran down in Newcastle, despite the pressing efforts of a newly-entered Chloe Kelly down the wide channel.

Proceedings concluded after 95 minutes in Newcastle, as two set piece scores from the visitors saw France reign victorious on the occasion.