Sarina Wiegman defended her England gamers however blamed set items for a primary house qualifying defeat in additional than 20 years by the hands of France in a 2-1 loss.
Needing victory to leapfrog their opponents into high spot of their Euro 2025 qualifying group, Beth Mead’s purpose bought England off to the proper begin.
However a pair of targets from corners in both half noticed France depart with victory – simply as they did in October 2002, once they have been the final staff to beat England in a qualifying sport away from house.
Wiegman was glad with England’s efficiency regardless of the consequence, however much less impressed with their decision-making within the remaining third or poor set-piece defending, which may have made the scoreline worse had Maelle Lakrar not seen a first-half header saved.
“It was frustrating,” she instructed ITV Sport. “I believe we performed fairly effectively, we conceded two targets from set performs which now we have to do loads higher on.
“In these matches, you do not get too many probabilities. Within the first half we created a number of, however solely scored one – they usually sadly scored one too.
“We have been extra on the ball within the second half with out creating too many extra probabilities, however we have been harmful. The ultimate move wanted to be higher.
Beth Mead put England forward on the half-hour mark from Lauren Hemp’s cross
“We know France are really good at set-pieces. Of course, we were prepared but they still got that time. The first half was unlucky, I think Hemp was bombarded but the second one, she got a little more space and finished it well too.”
England captain Leah Williamson was left equally irritated by the Lionesses’ fragility from lifeless balls, and the affect that they had on a primary defeat in six matches for her aspect.
“Really disappointed, the game was there to be won,” she stated. “It was a improbable event, the followers have by no means allow us to down so it is a disgrace to not give them a win as effectively.
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England’s Ella Toone says the gamers are disillusioned after their defeat to France however will study classes from the efficiency and errors that have been made.
“Two set pieces and second balls. We played well, not good enough to win the game, but the chances were there to win it. Two set pieces have killed us. There’s an element of luck to those things, but first contact and second contact need to be better. We will be better on Tuesday.”
England took the lead regardless of a disrupted opening interval, with restored No 1 Mary Earps injured contained in the opening minute and ultimately compelled off regardless of making an attempt to play via the ache barrier.
The Man Utd goalkeeper’s situation has but to be decided however she was seen on crutches on the pitch following the full-time whistle.
Mary Earps was pictured on crutches after the sport, having been compelled off contained in the opening 10 minutes with a leg damage
“It was a strange start with that first ball where Mary got injured,” stated Wiegman. “It took about five minutes, then she went down again and had to come off. It wasn’t the way we were expecting it!
“We needed to get organised once more, then we bought it and began enjoying loads higher. I am unable to say something [about the injury] as a result of I have not spoken to anybody after the sport.”
What are the opposite Euro 2025 qualifying dates?
Qualifying matchdays one and two: April 3-9
Qualifying matchday 4: June 4
Qualifying matchdays 5 and 6: July 10-16
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
