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 20:16 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

17 mins: Walsh looks to thread a pass through the middle of the pitch to feed Hemp in behind the lines. Elisa De Almeida has the forward covered though and keeps her at bay long enough for Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to scoop up the ball.

[31 May 2024 20:15 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

15 mins: Sketchy. That’s the best way to sum up the first quarter of an hour. England are trying to get control of the ball, France trying to impose themselves on the Lionesses.

Neither side budging. Kenza Dali is man-marking Keira Walsh at present which is making it tough for England to transition the ball.

[31 May 2024 20:12 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

12 mins: England haven’t quite got into the game yet. They’re making some simple mistakes with France pressing intensely. Alessia Russo wins a free kick inside Les Bleus final third and there’s an opportunity to work the ball into the box.

Beth Mead swings it in and looks for Millie Bright. The central defender leaps up but just misses out on a header.

[31 May 2024 20:09 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

9 mins: Hannah Hampton is now on as Mary Earps limps off the pitch. England boot the ball forward down the left and Lauren Hemp collects it on the edge of the box. She offloads the ball and Jess Carter takes over before running into trouble.

France clear their lines.

[31 May 2024 20:07 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

6 mins: Mary Earps sends a clearance up the pitch and pulls up immediately. She can’t carry on here, she’s not comfortable at all and Sarina Wiegman needs to sub her off.

Hannah Hampton is getting ready on the sidelines. Outside of the injury, England have been sloppy defensively, Leah Williamson and Millie Bright both look slightly off the pace.

[31 May 2024 20:04 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

4 mins: Earps gets back to her feet but she’s hobbling around. She tries to run off the injury and gets a loud round of applause from the crowd.

The corner ball is whipped in by Selma Bacha but gets nodded out of the middle of the penalty area.

[31 May 2024 20:02 · Mike Jones]

England 0-0 France

2 mins: A regulation pass from Mary Earps sees her go down off the ball before the corner is taken. The physios have come on to treat her and from the stretches it seems to be a problem with her hip.

Not the start she’d want for her 50th England appearance.

[31 May 2024 20:01 · Mike Jones]

Kick off! England 0-0 France

Alessia Russo gets the ball rolling for this crucial Euro 2025 qualifier. England have a poor record against France but they’ll be hoping to banish those demons at St. James’ Park tonight.

Delphine Cascarino presses high and puts Millie Bright under pressure. She blocks Bright’s pass and wins France a corner.

[31 May 2024 19:56 · Mike Jones]

England vs France

The players walk out onto the pitch and the national anthems are sung. This is going to be a cracking game. Kick off is up next...

[31 May 2024 19:50 · Mike Jones]

England vs France

Fran Kirby has scored in both of England’s last two meetings with France, only scoring more times in her international career against Sweden (3); the last Chelsea player to score on home soil for the Lionesses was Lauren James in February 2023 against Korea Republic.