That’s all from me! I’ll leave you with Suzanne Wrack’s match report. England are back in action against France on Tuesday. Until then, thanks for reading, have a great weekend!
Updated
Sarina Wiegman on Mary Earps’ injury: “I can’t say anything because I haven’t spoken to anyone yet.”
England manager Sarina Wiegman tells ITV Sport: “Frustrating. I think we played pretty well. We conceded two goals from set plays which we have to do better. In these matches you don’t get too many chances, in the first half we created multiple chances and we scored one. In the second half we were dangerous, the final pass needed to be better. Then we conceded a goal from a corner. In the end we wanted to force a goal but that didn’t go very well.”
“We’re going to recover, review the game then we get ready for Tuesday. This is disappointing then tomorrow it’s done and we continue to Tuesday and a new chance to play a good game and win a game.”
A look at the winning goal…
England fail to clear their lines... ❌
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 31, 2024
...and France take the lead with a second set piece goal ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qzGFBX43Vb
England winger Beth Mead tells ITV Sport: “Disappointed, frustrated. I actually thought we were the better team, created more chances. Ultimately we got beat on two set pieces and that’s something we need to look at and rectify. It’s a really tough game, a lot of quality on show. Small margins won them the game today.”
Mary Earps is currently on crutches after picking up that early injury, another devastating blow for the Lionesses.
This is England’s first European Championship qualifying defeat in almost 24 years. The last came against Norway in June 2000 – that’s 28 Euro qualifying games unbeaten before tonight’s loss.
Full-time: England 1-2 France
A crushing defeat for England. France win the first of two games in this crucial Euro qualifying double-header.
90+4 min: Bright is the furthest player forward for England at the moment. The Lionesses are throwing everything, but it might be too little too late.
90+1 min: Five minutes have been added on. France make some more changes with Katoto, who may have scored the winning goal here, making way for Louna Ribadeira and Léa Le Garrec replacing Dali.
88 min: Another chance for England as Kelly attempts a shot from distance. It’s not far off but flies narrowly over the crossbar.
87 min: Kelly splits the defence with a pass through to Bronze in the box, who tries to set up Russo but the ball is intercepted. Another chance missed.
84 min: There is a brief pause in play as Renard gets checked over following a hit to the face.
Meanwhile, goalscorer De Almeida is replaced by Ève Périsset.
83 min: England get a glimpse at goal as Hemp crosses the ball to Kelly in the box, but the winger can’t get her shot away.
82 min: It just hasn’t been happening for England today. With the two central midfielders being marked out of the game, the Lionesses have been forced to play straight from the defence over to attack, leaving Russo with little support up front. Chances have been few and far between this half.
79 min: Two changes for England as Chloe Kelly replaces Mead and Stanway makes way for Fran Kirby. Both players have scored important goals for the Lionesses on big occasions before, can they do it today?
76 min: Stanway attempts an audacious shot from distance, but her effort is off-target. Can’t blame her for going for goal – she’s scored from those positions before!
Kirby and Kelly are warming up for the Lionesses.
Updated
72 min: France have made a change with Amandine Henry replacing Cascarino.
Lakrar has also just been booked for a challenge on Russo.
70 min: Poor defending sees England concede from a set piece once again. Following a cross into the box, Diani heads the ball down to Katoto who flicks it into the bottom-right corner past Hampton.
Updated
GOAL! England 1-2 France (Katoto, 69)
Katoto stuns St James’ Park into silence!
Updated
66 min: Walsh switches the play over to the right as Bronze picks her pass out of the air. The defender sets the ball to Stanway on the edge of the box, who looks to shoot but instead drags it back. Bronze then attempts to cross it back in, but Peyraud-Magnin claims.
63 min: A Mexican wave is travelling around St James’ Park. That certainly gives you an idea about how this game is going… I can’t say it’s been the most exciting.
61 min: Stanway and Walsh have been very limited in midfield so far. The England defence have been playing the ball straight over to the front three on several occasions rather than moving through the middle.
58 min: Russo plays the ball out to Hemp on the left, but the winger is forced out slightly too wide. She sends a cross into the box as Russo makes a run, but Peyraud-Magnin manages to claim it.
55 min: France look to go on the attack as the ball is passed over to Bacha on the left. The full-back goes to make the cross, but it runs behind for a goal kick.
52 min: Some brilliant link-up play down the right as Mead backheels the ball to Bronze, who makes a run on the overlap. Diani gets back to deflect it behind for a corner.
Hemp sends the set piece into the box, but the ball gets caught under Williamson’s feet and the England captain can’t get her shot away.
51 min: Hemp makes a run down the left and receives the ball from Williamson in a dangerous area. She crosses it into the box, but Russo can’t get there.
49 min: Hampton sends a fantastic pass out from the back to Bronze on the halfway line. The full-back plays the ball through to Russo, but the flag goes up.
46 min: France burst out of the blocks and go straight on the attack. Bacha sends a cross into the box and finds Toletti, who goes for goal but her effort is off-target.
Kick-off: England 1-1 France
We’re back under way at St James’ Park!
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Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to do it before the second half starts!
It was far from an ideal start for England with Mary Earps’ forced substitution. The Lionesses lacked some confidence for the majority of the first half, but the match sprung into life in the final 20 minutes.
A huge 45 minutes ahead!
Half-time: England 1-1 France
An eventful first half to say the least! It’s all square at St James’ Park!
45+4 min: Huge chance for England! Bronze makes a great run out from the back before passing to Mead. The winger cuts inside from the right and looks to curl the ball into the far corner, but Peyraud-Magnin makes a fantastic save!
45+1 min: Five minutes have been added on. Carter is booked for a shirt pull on Cascarino.
45 min: A low-driven cross is sent into the France penalty area. Peyraud-Magnin goes to make the save but spills it. The goalkeeper can eventually clear the danger.
41 min: A corner is sent into the box by Dali and the ball finds De Almeida, who manages to wrap her foot around it to direct her shot over the England defence and into the top-left corner!
Sarina Wiegman will certainly be disappointed with that.
Updated
GOAL! England 1-1 France (De Almeida, 40)
What a finish!
Updated
39 min: And just as I say that, France have a huge chance! A fantastic cross is sent to Katoto, who finds herself in a great position right in front of goal. She goes for the shot but her effort flies over the crossbar.
36 min: Just under 10 minutes to go now until half-time and England are looking more comfortable. Still a bit shaky in defence, but much better across the rest of the pitch.
33 min: A poor back-pass from Bright runs out of play and France have a cheap corner. The ball is sent into the box by Bacha and Lakrar gets her head to it, but Hampton makes a phenomenal save!
31 min: Carter plays the ball to Hemp on the left, who squares it across goal. It runs past three of her team-mates including Stanway, who clashes with Bacha in the process, but Mead is there to calmly pass it into the net!
GOAL! England 1-0 France (Mead, 30)
Mead breaks the deadlock! England take the lead!
Updated
28 min: Russo is sent through on goal from the left and goes to shoot, but she can’t connect with it properly and the ball flies into the stands.
26 min: Toone’s chance was the best of the game by far. The Lionesses have had a few glimpses here and there, but they have struggled in defence so far.
Updated
23 min: Big chance for England now as Russo picks up the ball just outside the box and splits the France defence with a pass through to Hemp. The winger squares it back across goal to Toone, but her first-time effort runs just wide!
21 min: Williamson plays a clever pass out to Carter on the left. The Chelsea star plays it inside to Toone and the ball is eventually switched over to Bronze on the other side. Bronze goes to make a cross, but Peyraud-Magnin claims it with ease.
18 min: Hemp wins a free kick in England’s defensive third after clashing with De Almeida. The Lionesses don’t look too comfortable at the back at the moment. France have been piling on the pressure.
16 min: Mead is fouled by Dali in midfield and England win a free kick. The Lionesses are happy playing with patience in these early stages. Neither team have had a real look-in at goal yet.
13 min: Carter looks to find Mead with a long pass into the box, but the winger can’t get there in time and France have a goal kick.
11 min: A round of applause is observed by the fans here at St James’ Park in tribute to 10-year-old Leah Harrison, who tragically passed away recently.
Updated
9 min: England get the game under way again as Bright sends a long ball over the France defence to Hemp, but De Almeida gets back to force her out wide.
7 min: England goalkeeper Earps limps off with tears in her eyes, assisted by physios. She has been replaced by Hannah Hampton.
6 min: Earps is down again after making a clearance. It looks like she will be forced to come off.
Updated
4 min: Earps is able to play on for now. France have a corner, the ball is sent into the box but England can clear the danger.
2 min: A disastrous start for the Lionesses as Earps goes down with an injury after a matter of seconds. The goalkeeper appeared to wince after passing the ball out from the back. It looks like it could be a hip issue.
1 min: England face some early pressure as Bright gives the ball away to Cascarino, who looks to cross it but her attempt is intercepted and sent behind for a corner.
Kick-off
We’re under way at St James’ Park!
The teams are out. The national anthems have been sung. Kick-off is just a few minutes away!
Toone in Toon
The Euro 2025 qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park was delayed this evening after a protester chained themselves to one of the goal frames. The match has now kicked off.
In case you missed it… arguably the worst kept secret in women’s football was confirmed this week. Chelsea officially announced the arrival of new manager Sonia Bompastor from Lyon. Bompastor has signed a four-year deal with the Blues. She replaces Emma Hayes, who recently left to become head coach of the United States Women’s National Team.
Upon her arrival at Stamford Bridge, Bompastor said: “I hope to live up to Emma’s legacy and continue the work that has been done in recent years. Let the adventure begin.”
Millie Bright returns to the England starting line-up tonight for the first time since October. The defender missed five months of the season through injury but has now returned to full fitness. Discussing today’s match, Bright said: “France are an incredible team, pose a lot of threats. Equally there are things we can do to put the threats on them.
“We have to be extremely prepared. We know it’s going to be two tough games. As always we don’t go out for anything other than wins and a good performance. It will be a massive message.”
Lucy Bronze became the first English player to win five Champions League titles last weekend. FIVE!
Is she the greatest Lioness of all-time? Let me know what you think!
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson admits she is “looking forward” to the challenge of playing for her spot in Sarina Wiegman’s competitive starting line-up. She said: “It’s the first time that, obviously, me and Millie have been back in the squad together for a long time, so it’s been nice in that regard.
“I think we’ve got a really strong unit - I mentioned coming back into the squad about how well they’ve performed and how they’ve raised the level, so it’s good to be back. It’s a competitive unit to try to get into. I’ll look forward to the challenge, I think, as everybody does.
Tonight will be Sarina Wiegman’s 50th game in charge of England. It is also Arjan Veurink’s 50th game with the Lionesses and Mary Earps’ 50th senior international cap. Hopefully a night to remember for all three!
Niamh Charles was replaced by Maya Le Tissier in Sarina Wiegman’s core squad this week. The defender remains with Chelsea to manage a calf injury. Goalkeeper Kayla Rendell, who was on the standby list, has also withdrawn due to an ankle injury. She has been replaced by Birmingham’s Lucy Thomas. Lauren James became the latest player to leave the camp on Thursday. The forward is currently managing a foot injury and has been replaced by Jessica Naz.
Team News
England starting XI: Mary Earps; Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, Jess Carter; Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone; Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead. Substitutes: Alex Greenwood, Hannah Hampton, Fran Kirby, Jessica Naz, Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton, Maya Le Tissier, Jess Park, Khiara Keating, Esme Morgan, Millie Turner.
TEAM NEWS! 👏
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 31, 2024
👊 @Mdawg1bright returns
🧤 Mary Earps set for 50th cap
💫 @bmeado9 starts pic.twitter.com/q5cXHCqRvg
France starting XI: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin; Élisa De Almeida, Maëlle Lakrar, Wendie Renard, Selma Bacha; Sandie Toletti, Sakina Karchaoui, Kenza Dali; Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Delphine Cascarino. Substitutes: Solène Durand, Constance Picaud, Ève Périsset, Estelle Cascarino, Thiniba Samoura, Grace Geyoro, Amandine Henry, Léa Le Garrec, Sandy Baltimore, Inès Benyahia, Julie Dufour, Louna Ribadeira.
La composition pour ce match aller face à l’Angleterre 🏴🔥
— Equipe de France Féminine (@equipedefranceF) May 31, 2024
⌚️ Coup d’envoi à 21h00
📺 France 3 #ANGFRA | #FiersdetreBleues pic.twitter.com/Vd68XiKgTc
Preamble
Hello, good evening and welcome to coverage of England’s Euro 2025 qualifier against France. Two European giants go head-to-head tonight with the hope of taking a huge step towards next summer’s tournament. France currently lead Group A3 with a maximum six points. The Lionesses sit second with four points having defeated the Republic of Ireland and drawn with Sweden. These two sides meet twice in the next five days, so we’re in for a thrilling week.
For now, all eyes are on tonight’s match at St James’ Park. Kick-off is at 8pm BST - I’ll be with you all evening!
