England vs France LIVE: Euro 2025 qualifier result and reaction as Katoto goal gives visitors crucial win

England 1-2 France: Marie Antoinette Katoto’s second half strike decided the game in Les Bleus’ favour

(REUTERS)

England suffered defeat in their Euro 2025 qualifier against France leaving them in a precarious position in Group A3. Coming into the match second in the table, the Lionesses would have ended the night top had they been victorious.

Sarina Wiegman’s side managed to shake off a lethargic start to open the scoring with Lauren Hemp darting into the left side of the penalty area and picking out Beth Mead. The returning Arsenal winger took control of the ball and slotted it home to open the scoring at St. James’ Park.

However, France equalised before the break with Elisa De Almeida meeting a corner ball and volleying the equaliser into the far top corner. Hannah Hampton, subbed onto the pitch after an early injury to Mary Earps couldn’t reach the pinpoint accurate shot.

The match was then settled in the second half from another French corner. England failed to deal with the initial ball and Kadidiatou Diani nodded it back to Marie-Antoinette Katoto who’s swivel shot finished in the bottom corner.

Sweden’s win over the Republic of Ireland means England drop to third and will need to beat France away from home in their next match to get back in contention in this group.

Relive the action from England v France in Euro 2025 qualifying below:

Euro 2025 qualifiers - England vs France LIVE

• England stunned at St. James’s Park as Marie-Antoinette Katoto completes comeback win in Euro qualifier
• Mary Earps subbed off with early injury
• 68’ GOAL! - Katoto curls France into the lead (ENG 1-2 FRA)
• 45+3’ SAVE! - Peyraud-Magnin denies Mead on stroke of half-time (ENG 1-1 FRA)
• 41’ GOAL! - De Almeida volleys in the equaliser (ENG 1-1 FRA)
• 33’ SAVE! - Hampton leaps to the left and denies Lukrar (ENG 1-0 FRA)
• 30’ GOAL! - Mead’s calm touch puts the Lionesses ahead (ENG 1-0 FRA)
• 23’ CLOSE! - Toone curls one wide for England (ENG 0-0 FRA)

[31 May 2024 21:43 · Mike Jones]

England 1-2 France

83 mins: De Almeida chips a pass over the top of the England defence but Diani is slightly offside as she makes her dart in behind. France are in control of this game, England need to create something late in this game.

[31 May 2024 21:40 · Mike Jones]

England 1-2 France

80 mins: Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly are met with loud rounds of applause as they come onto the pitch for England. Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway are the two players replaced.

Can the substitutes have the deserved impact for Sarina Wiegman?

[31 May 2024 21:39 · Mike Jones]

England 1-2 France

77 mins: Time is ticking away from England. France are maintain this lead well enough and defending their own box with relative comfort.

[31 May 2024 21:35 · Mike Jones]

England 1-2 France

74 mins: Katoto, who could possibly have won this game for France, fouls Stanway inside England’s half. The Lionesses work the ball out to the right and try a threaded pass in behind.

It’s too heavy and Russo has no chance to get to the ball.

[31 May 2024 21:32 · Mike Jones]

England 1-2 France

71 mins: England need a response. Will they find another level now?

They work is nicely over to Hemp on the left and she drives a cross into the middle of the box. Mead get her head on the end of the pass but loops her effort wide of the nearest post.

[31 May 2024 21:30 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! England 1-2 France (Katoto, 68’)

68 mins: Disaster for England!

It’s another set piece that England fail to properly deal with. The second ball comes into the box with Russo nodding it to the edge of the box.

England are slow to get out and Diani nods the ball over to Katoto. She shoots on the swivel and nestles the ball into the far bottom corner.

[31 May 2024 21:27 · Mike Jones]

England 1-1 France

66 mins: Nice work from England. Slick passing sees them get the ball to Georgia Stanway in the box. The opportunity to shoot is there for her but she passes out to Lucy Bronze instead.

Bronze lifts in a cross looking for Alessia Russo but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin leaps for the ball and plucks it out of the air.

[31 May 2024 21:23 · Mike Jones]

England 1-1 France

63 mins: Beth Mead is on corner taking duties for England and curls in the set piece. She can’t find a teammate but Lucy Bronze manages to come away with the ball and keep possession for the Lionesses.

[31 May 2024 21:22 · Mike Jones]

England 1-1 France

60 mins: An hour played at St. James’ Park. Sweden are beating the Republic of Ireland in the other group match of the night meaning that if things remain as they are then England and France will still stay above them in the table.

A loss for England though would drop them to third.

[31 May 2024 21:18 · Mike Jones]

England 1-1 France

57 mins: It’s a lot better from England. They look more composed and in control especially when passing around the back between Leah Williamson and Millie Bright.

Bright lifts a long pass over to Georgia Stanway on the right wing and the midfielder wins a throw in.