France vs England LIVE: Lionesses result and final score from vital Euro 2025 qualifier
France 1-2 England: The Lionesses revived their chances of claiming an automatic qualification spot for Euro 2025 as they held on to victory in Saint-Etienne
England claimed a stunning win in France to spark life into their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign with a vital 2-1 victory in Saint-Etienne.
The Lionesses were beaten by France in Newcastle on Friday but manager Sarina Wiegman’s decision to play an unchanged outfield line-up was rewarded with an improved display from the European champions.
Georgia Stanway’s stunning strike gave the Lionesses the lead midway through the opening half, before Alessia Russo met Lauren Hemp’s excellent cross to double England’s advantage.
Russo, in particular, deserved her goal following a brilliant all-round display leading the line, but the second half was a different story for England as France took control in search of an equaliser.
The hosts were given hope as Leah Williamson caught Grace Geyoro in the box and Kadidiatou Diani sent Hannah Hampton the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Hampton then made a stunning save to deny Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the dying moments, as England held on and France suffered their first home defeat in five years.
Follow all the reaction below as England claimed their first win away to France in 51 years
France 1-2 England
80 mins: CLOSE! Oh that was not far away at all from Cascarino, after taking on an ambitious shot from a very tight angle. Carter did well to force her wide.
Hampton is booked for wasting time over the goal-kick.
France 1-2 England
79 mins: Bacha is booked for pulling back Bronze down the right - which rules the left back out of France’s next game against Sweden. That could be a huge game if France can’t find an equaliser.
France 1-2 England
77 mins: A half-chance for Stanway as the ball breaks on the edge and sets up the sight of goal. The volley dips just wide of the far post.
France have space to attack into but Carter stands firm on the edge of the box. England just need to slow this down.
France 1-2 England
75 mins: Wiegman reacts with England’s first change: Chloe Kelly replaces Mead in a straight-swap on the wing.
GOAL! France 1-2 England (Diani 72’)
Kadidiatou Diani sends Hampton the wrong way and France are back in it!
It was a gift from the Lionesses.
They have a long 20 minutes to get through now.
PENALTY! France 0-2 England
France have a penalty as Geyoro is caught by Williamson in the box!
That was sloppy by England - Toone was caught on the ball by France’s midfield. Toone is booked protesting, and then Bronze is booked trying to delay the penalty.
Over to you Hannah Hampton.
France 0-2 England
68 mins: Starting to get a bit nervy for England now... A Geyoro drive looked to be troubling Hampton before Bronze stuck a leg out, sending the ball spinning over the bar.
England then clear the corner. Renard stays up and England are able to deal with the direct ball up to the captain.
France 0-2 England
65 mins: SAVE! Almost stunning from Toone! She robs possession in the final third after intercepting the ball, and then immediately looks for the chip. Peyrayd-Magnin can scramble back to save, though.
France 0-2 England
63 mins: Hampton’s back on her feet. I’m not accusing anyone of anything, but I think that delay might have allowed Wiegman a chance to speak to a couple of her players...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments