England boosted their hopes of computerized qualification for Euro 2025 with a 2-1 victory over France in Saint-Etienne.
Sarina Wiegman’s facet dropped out of the automated qualification spots of their group after France got here from behind to beat the Lionesses 2-1 at St James’ Park on Friday. Sweden, who began the night second within the group behind France, piled the stress onto England with a 1-0 victory over Republic of Eire, however the Euro 2022 holders responded in high-quality type.
In a near-perfect first-half efficiency from England, Georgia Stanway’s long-range piledriver gave the guests the lead within the twenty first minute earlier than Alessia Russo’s header doubled the benefit earlier than half-time.
France failed to provide a shot on course within the first half, however they had been way more threatening after the break. They had been ultimately handed a lifeline when Ella Toone misplaced possession in the midst of the pitch earlier than Leah Williamson clipped Grace Geyoro within the penalty space.
Kadidiatou Diani made no mistake from the spot to arrange a giant end at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, and England wanted a giant save from Hannah Hampton, deputising for the injured Mary Earps, to disclaim Marie-Antoinette Katoto within the closing phases to seal what may show to be an enormous victory for the Lionesses.
The outcome means England, who secured a primary win in France in 51 years, are actually in charge of their very own future when it comes to computerized qualification. The Lionesses keep third within the group on purpose distinction however sit degree on factors with Sweden, who they nonetheless need to play, whereas they’re now simply two factors behind group leaders France with two video games of the marketing campaign remaining.
How England avenged Friday’s defeat to France…
Georgia Stanway celebrates her opener for England towards France.
England seemed like a facet missing confidence within the early phases with a couple of passes going astray and a few heavy touches gifting possession to a France facet wanting harmful on the counter-attack.
Ella Toone’s weak shot was simply saved by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, whereas on the different finish, Sakina Karchaoui’s low cross was diverted simply large by Kadidiatou Diani earlier than the Lionesses actually began to click on into gear.
England moved the ball rapidly to Beth Mead, who crossed to the close to submit. Russo arrived with a perfectly-timed run however may solely side-foot large. Mead then had an opportunity of her personal however Peyraud-Magnin made a sensible block at her close to submit to disclaim the Arsenal ahead.
The momentum was absolutely with the guests and so they made their dominance rely within the twenty first minute. Hemp used her power to maintain maintain of the ball earlier than teeing up Stanway, who unleashed a robust first-time shot into the underside left nook.
Russo was then offered with an excellent likelihood to double the lead by Lucy Bronze, who volleyed the ball again throughout purpose. The Arsenal striker latched onto the cross on the far submit, heading the ball again throughout purpose, however Peyraud-Magnin’s outstretched boot saved the lead at one.
Russo wasn’t to be denied for lengthy, nevertheless. One other cross in from the precise, this time from Hemp, picked out the Arsenal striker, who guided a header into the roof of the online to ship England in on the break with a two-goal benefit.
Alessia Russo heads in England’s second towards France.
The hosts had been searching for a response and made a double change on the break, bringing on Sandie Toletti and Delphine Cascarino for Amandine Henry and Sakina Karchaoui.
They usually had been gifted a passage again into the sport with 18 minutes remaining. Toone misplaced possession deep inside her personal half, instantly placing the guests below stress. Geyoro then drew a foul from Williamson within the field earlier than Diani transformed previous Hampton handy France a lifeline.
The momentum was with France as England seemed to carry on for victory, and the hosts created one remaining alternative however Hampton produced a shocking save to disclaim Katoto from shut vary to get England over the end line.
Wiegman: We’re in a greater place now
England boss Sarina Wiegman:
“A team effort. You know the second half is going to be different and they are going to push, but we worked so hard to stay together and keep the win.
“You realize they will press. They had been actually chasing us. We’ve got to make higher selections, be a bit calmer. We performed into their palms a bit. We all know after they win the ball there they’ve gamers which are so fast. We wish to take these moments out in fact.
“Of course it gives a boost. We want to win and we are in a better position now. The group is totally open. We said from the beginning this is a really tough group with top level teams. It helps when you win, but most of all we did better than Friday.”
Russo: We acquired our requirements again
England goalscorer Alessia Russo:
“I think we got our standard’s back to where we wanted them.
“There are nonetheless elements we are going to work on for certain. We all know the extent is increased than ever and to even qualify for the Euros goes to be more durable than ever.”
“We all know our requirements need to be increased. We most likely allow them to slip a bit not too long ago. We all know the expertise we’ve, we all know the potential we’ve and we noticed much more flashes of it tonight.”
What’s subsequent?
The Lionesses return to motion subsequent month with their remaining two Euro 2025 qualifying matches. Sarina Wiegman’s facet host the Republic of Eire at Carrow Highway on July 12 after which finish their marketing campaign with an away journey towards Sweden on July 16.
What are the opposite Euro 2025 qualifying dates?
July 12: England vs Republic of Eire, Norwich, kick-off 8pm
July 16: Sweden vs England, location TBC, kick-off 6pm
Play-off draw: July 19
Play-off spherical one (two legs): October 23-29
Play-off spherical two (two legs): November 27-December 3
Euro 2025 finals draw: December 16
Euro 2025 finals: July 2-27 2025 – Switzerland
