**England’s Euro 2025 Opener: A Disappointing Defeat Against France**
England’s title defense did not fare well in their Euro 2025 opener as they suffered a defeat against France. This match marked a significant moment, as it was the first time a defending champion lost their opening game in the women’s Euros history. The outcome left many questioning what went wrong for the Lionesses, who were expected to perform better given their recent successes.
As the match unfolded at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, pundits highlighted the team’s struggles, suggesting that England appeared “bullied” and effectively played into the strengths of the French squad. Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, expressed her concerns that her team “created their own problems,” while defender Jess Carter noted that the players seemed to “play like they were a little bit scared.” This sentiment was echoed by captain Leah Williamson, who was visibly frustrated by the result, attributing some of the team’s shortcomings to what she termed “cheap emotional defending.”
The first half of the match saw France take control, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scoring crucial goals. Despite a late push led by Keira Walsh, who managed to score for England near the end of the match, it was too little too late for the defending champions. England was consistently outmatched in midfield battles and exhibited a notable lack of pace in defense, failing to effectively counter the quick, dynamic attacks from the French side.
**A Problematic Midfield and Tactical Missteps**
A significant portion of England’s difficulties stemmed from their midfield, where Georgia Stanway and Walsh found themselves overwhelmed by their French counterparts. The French defense capitalized on England’s sloppiness in maintaining possession, as they pressed hard and took advantage of the errors that crept into the Lionesses’ play. This performance raises questions about tactical decisions made by Wiegman, particularly regarding the effectiveness of their formation in midfield.
Williamson’s frustration was compounded by the inability of her team to maintain composure, allowing waves of French attacks that left them scrambling defensively. Carter noted that England may have been over-cautious and overly concerned about the threats from their opponents rather than focusing on their own offensive capabilities. Until Walsh’s goal in the 87th minute, England did not manage a shot on target, highlighting the severity of their offensive drought during the match.
One of the standout performances for France came from Baltimore, who effectively won her individual battles against Chelsea teammate Lucy Bronze, who lost a striking six duels throughout the match. This statistic drew further attention to England’s struggles in one-v-one situations, underscoring the difficulties they experienced both on the ball and off it.
**Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Redemption**
Following their loss, England must reassess and adapt in preparation for their upcoming fixtures against the Netherlands and Wales. It is crucial for the Lionesses to secure victories in these matches to ensure a place in the knockout rounds, given that only the top two teams from each group advance. England’s current position has created a sense of urgency within the squad, as both France and the Netherlands have already secured three points from their opening games.
The imminent match against the Netherlands is expected to be a challenging encounter, particularly as it will come with the pressure of needing to perform and secure a victory. Clinton, one of the upcoming stars on the squad, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to play at their best, stating that they have the potential to be “untouchable” when they execute their game plan effectively.
Despite the early setback, history and past performances provide a foundation for hope among the England squad and their fans. The Lionesses are well-acquainted with the pressures of tournament football and have shown resilience in the past. Thus, while the loss to France stings, it also represents a wake-up call for the team to revamp their approach as they look to reclaim their title.
In conclusion, while this disappointing defeat has left England playing catch-up in Group D, the team maintains a strong mentality and understanding of what it takes to succeed on such a grand stage. The next game against the Netherlands is crucial, where England will need to overcome their previous mistakes to ensure a successful campaign moving forward.
