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 strain onto England with a 1-0 victory over Republic of Eire, however the Euro 2022 holders responded in wonderful 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 the right track within the first half, however they had been rather more threatening after the break. They had been ultimately handed a lifeline when Ella Toone misplaced possession in the course 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 might show to be an enormous victory for the Lionesses.
The consequence means England, who secured a primary win in France in 51 years, at the moment are answerable for their very own future by way of computerized qualification. The Lionesses keep third within the group on objective distinction however sit stage on factors with Sweden, who they nonetheless should 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 in opposition to France.
England regarded 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 huge by Kadidiatou Diani earlier than the Lionesses actually began to click on into gear.
England moved the ball shortly to Beth Mead, who crossed to the close to submit. Russo arrived with a perfectly-timed run however might solely side-foot huge. 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 they usually made their dominance rely within the twenty first minute. Hemp used her energy 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 introduced with an outstanding probability to double the lead by Lucy Bronze, who volleyed the ball again throughout objective. The Arsenal striker latched onto the cross on the far submit, heading the ball again throughout objective, however Peyraud-Magnin’s outstretched boot stored the lead at one.
Russo wasn’t to be denied for lengthy, nonetheless. One other cross in from the fitting, 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 in opposition to France.
The hosts had been in search of a response and made a double change on the break, bringing on Sandie Toletti and Delphine Cascarino for Amandine Henry and Sakina Karchaoui.
And so they 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 strain. Geyoro then drew a foul from Williamson within the field earlier than Diani transformed previous Hampton at hand France a lifeline.
The momentum was with France as England regarded to carry on for victory, and the hosts created one closing 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 understand they will press. They had been actually chasing us. We’ve 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 can be so fast. We need to take these moments out after all.
“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 should be increased. We in all probability allow them to slip a bit lately. We all know the expertise we now have, we all know the potential we now have and we noticed much more flashes of it tonight.”
What’s subsequent?
The Lionesses return to motion subsequent month with their closing 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 in opposition to 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
