Despite falling to a spineless defeat at St. James Park on Friday evening, England were back to their roaring best as they slid past Les Bleues at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard to garner their first win in France in 51 years. A true striker’s finish from Alessia Russo, previewed by a wonderstrike from Georgia Stanway, saw the Lionesses with a double advantage heading into half time.

Though England’s top form wouldn’t carry into the second half, as a penalty-spot score from Kadidiatou Diani saw the hosts regain the momentum in Saint-Étienne. Despite a late charge from Les Bleues, Sarina Wiegman’s side were able to scrape the victory under the lights.

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

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

England scraped the opening chance of the evening, as Georgia Stanway found Ella Toone inside of the area- though the Manchester United midfielder failed to make true contact and trickled her strike aimlessly.

End-to-end football saw France respond with a chance of their own, as
Sakina Karchaoui placed a searching cross into the path of
Kadidiatou Diani- though her strike ran just wide of the goal post. Leah Williamson was then seen down receiving treatment, as studs caught in the challenge saw a minor scrape sustained to the England skipper’s knee.

The deadlock would be broken by the visitors in the 21st minute, as Georgia Stanway liked her chances for a rocket finish from outside of the area. In Vintage Stanway fashion, the strike rattled the net and set the Lionesses up with the lead at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

England would strike again inside of the 35 minute, as a well-timed cross from Lauren Hemp saw Alessia Russo strike true with her head to double the advantage for the Lionesses.

The second half saw little opportunity until Grace Geyoro looked dynamic in possession, before a mistimed challenge from Leah Williamson saw France awarded a spot kick in the 71st minute. Kadidiatou Diani cleaned the cobwebs of the bottom corner, as she slotted home the penalty to halve the deficit for the hosts.

The French looked eager to equalise as the clock ran down, whilst Sarina Wiegman’s side looked to be on the back foot of the pressure. Only opting for the sole change (Chloe Kelly for Beth Mead) before the 85th minute, Wiegman seemed to trust her starting armoury to run down the clock.

It looked as if the hosts had found their equaliser, whilst
Marie-Antoinette Katoto battled with Lucy Bronze to toe in a strike toward the bottom corner. Though access would be denied by a stretching Hannah Hampton, as she narrowly palmed away the attempt at the death.

The final whistle split through the air of Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, as England managed to scrape the victory under the lights in Saint-Étienne.

The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Alessia Russo