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
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:
England 1-1 France
44 mins: Every chance they get England are trying to get Lauren Hemp in behind the lines. Too often though the Lionesses’ central midfielders, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone, are underhitting passes to her allowing Elisa De Almeida to sweep up possession.
GOAL! England 1-1 France (De Almeida, 41’)
41 mins: What a goal this is!
From a corner France curl the ball into the middle of the box. Elisa De Almeida breaks away from Keira Walsh and meets the ball on the volley.
It’s slightly behind her but she manages to hook it into the far top corner and out of the reach of a flying Hannah Hampton. France are level.
England 1-0 France
39 mins: Nearly! France manage to kick on with a counter attack as Kadidiatou Diani drives the ball up the pitch. She releases it across to Delphine Cascarino who swings a cross into the middle of the box.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto sticks out her leg and gets to the ball but can only lift the effort up and over the crossbar.
England 1-0 France
36 mins: England will want another goal before they start to feel settled. Despite the scoreline, the Lionesses have struggled to find a good rhythm and are turning up in small batches of skill and pace.
England 1-0 France
33 mins: Can France respond to going a goal down?
They win themselves a corner that gets delivered into the middle of the penalty area by Selma Bacha. The target is Maelle Lukrar who bombs a headed effort towards goal.
It’s sneaking in but Hannah Hampton leaps to her left and palms the ball wide. Great save!
GOAL! England 1-0 France (Mead, 30’)
30 mins: The Lionesses take the lead!
The goal is made by Lauren Hemp who darts into the box from the left. She’s given the ball and once again cuts it back into the middle where there’s loads of space.
Ella Toone looks to get on the end of the pass but is held up. Nevertheless the ball sneaks through to Beth Mead who takes a touch then sidefoots her effort past the goalkeeper with ease!
England 0-0 France
26 mins: A cross field pass from Millie Bright perfectly picks out Lauren Hemp on the left wing. England drive forward and work the ball around the edge of the box.
Alessia Russo is slipped in behind Maelle Lukrar and she touches the ball before blazing a shot over the top of the net!
England 0-0 France
23 mins: Close! Russo recover ths ball high up the pitch and feeds it into the box for Hemp. The winger cuts the ball back into the middle of the box where Ella Toone pops up to take a first time shot.
She feeds it across the face of goal ut just sends her effort wide of the far post!
England 0-0 France
22 mins: Ella Toone wants a free kick after a handball inside France’s half but the referee lets play go on as England storm forward. Georgia Stanway flicks the ball out ot Lucy Bronze on the right side and the defender whips a teasing pass into the penalty area.
She’s hoping to find a teammate but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin is first to the ball and safely brings it under control.
England 0-0 France
20 mins: Sarina Wiegman looks thoughtful on the sidelines. She’s obvious thinking hard about how her team are playing here and it won’t be happy thoughts.
France’s failure so far is to click into gear in the final third. That’s the only thing missing from their game as they’re the better side at present.
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