France beat title-holders England 2-1 in the final opening fixture of EURO 2025 after a dominant first half in Zürich.
A strong first half at the Stadion Letzigrund saw Les Bleues build a two-goal lead. The Lionesses commenced their Group D campaign with a performance filled with frustration – a late goal from Kiera Walsh the only shot on target for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
The rivalry between England and France has been shaped by narrow scorelines and shifting momentum. In recent years, their head-to-head meetings have reflected this. In their latest UEFA EURO 2025 qualifying encounters, both sides earned a 2–1 win apiece. France edged England in Newcastle, before the Lionesses responded with a historic away victory in Saint-Étienne, their first on French soil in over 50 years.
The Lineups
FRA: Peyraud-Magnin, Bacha, Sombath, Lakrar, De Almeida, Geyoro, Jean-François, Karchaoui, Cascarino, Katoto, Baltimore
ENG: Hampton, Carter, Greenwood, Williamson, Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, James, Hemp, Russo, Mead
The Action
Following a strong start from the Lionesses, Alessia Russo appeared to have opened the scoring for the reigning champions after she scored from the rebound of Lauren Hemp’s shot but was later disallowed after VAR determined there was offside in the build-up.
Sakina Karchaoui had a close chance for France just before the half-hour mark as Hannah Hampton was caught out of position, but the shot went wide with the ball hitting the side netting.
Since the offside decision for England, France built their momentum with their attacking pressure. Another close chance came in the 33rd minute as Elisa De Almeida’s shot was saved by Hampton’s left leg.
Les Bleues took the lead through Marie-Antoinette Katoto as the Lionesses lost possession in midfield, which allowed Cascarino to deliver a low cross into the area, leaving Katoto to tap the ball in.
France doubled their advantage in quick succession through Sandy Baltimore, as the forward took advantage of Lucy Bronze being out of position when France turned the ball over in midfield. The forward’s right-footed curler found the net beyond Hampton into the top corner.
Following a dominant first half from France, Les Bleues continued to build their momentum as Beth Mead lost possession, Grace Geyoro went one-on-one with Hampton, but was unable to find a successful shot. The Chelsea goalkeeper fumbled her save but managed to retrieve the ball before it crossed the line.
After France kept England quiet in attack, the Lionesses recorded their first goal of the tournament through Kiera Walsh in the 88th minute. Following England’s corner being cleared to the edge of the area, Walsh netted her effort into the top corner.
Within the five minutes of added time, Pauline Peyraud Magnin missed her clearance as Lauren Hemp turned it goalwards, but Selma Bacha was ready to clear the chance off the line, maintaining her side’s advantage.
Despite the late efforts of the Lionesses, the side were unable to create another chance to find an equaliser.
France composed and clinical against England
France’s 2–1 win over reigning champions England was not just a statement of intent. It was another clear indication that Laurent Bonadei’s side has transformed into a team capable of matching ambition with execution. After a constituent UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign, Les Bleues are carrying their momentum into this summer’s tournament.
Tactical discipline
France’s victory showcased a team that has grown in structure and mentality. Despite England’s early disallowed goal and possession spells, Les Bleues remained composed and compact, exploiting the Lionesses’ defensive errors with clinical efficiency. Their two goals, both stemming from midfield turnovers, highlight a tactical plan that thrives off transitional moments.
Delphine Cascarino’s low cross for Katoto’s opener and Sandy Baltimore’s top-corner finish from the left wing were emblematic of France’s increasingly potent wide play. With Sakina Karchaoui and Selma Bacha rotating between defensive duties and overlapping support, France constantly stretched England’s back-line, particularly targeting Lucy Bronze’s advanced positioning.
Statistically, France created more shots on target (six to England’s two), and forced goalkeeper Hannah Hampton into several key saves. Meanwhile, their midfield duo of Grace Geyoro and Oriane Jean-François effectively neutralised Georgia Stanway and Walsh for most of the game, until Walsh’s late strike.
England outpaced and outmanoeuvred
For England, the result marked a historic and unwanted milestone. This was the first time a reigning champion has lost their opening game. With only two shots on target, England struggled to break through France’s disciplined defense and were frequently caught out in midfield transitions.
France’s defensive structure also deserves credit. Despite late English pressure, including a clearance off the line by Bacha, France didn’t falter. Peyraud-Magnin’s command of the penalty area and Jean-François’ ball recovery presence were key in withstanding England’s late rally.
The road ahead
With matches against the Netherlands and Wales to come, France have shown that they can beat top-tier opposition under tournament pressure. This is something that has eluded them in previous cycles. They could be serious challengers for their first-ever major international title.
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