Defending champions England suffered a 2-1 loss to France in their Euro 2025 opener in Zurich, despite Keira Walsh's late consolation.
Lauren James returned to Sarina Wiegman's starting XI, and England thought they had taken an early lead against the 2022 semi-finalists, but Alessia Russo's effort was disallowed following a VAR review.
Instead, Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired in a 36th-minute opener before Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore doubled France's lead three minutes later.
Late substitutions sparked the Lionesses into life in the closing stages, and Walsh gave them hope by halving the deficit in the 87th minute, but they could not salvage a point.
With England men's boss Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands, James got herself involved inside the first minute, latching onto the ball inside France's penalty area before firing a left-footed effort aimed at the top corner off-target.
Three minutes later the Chelsea forward was darting around the edge of the area, delivering a cross that just missed several England players.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had her first experience of major tournament action when she came out to collect Selma Bacha's free-kick, earning an appreciative round of applause from the England delegation stationed behind her.
Russo thought she had scored after pouncing on the rebound from Lauren Hemp's saved effort, but a VAR check determined Beth Mead had been marginally offside in the build-up to Hemp's initial attempt and the goal was ruled out.
Momentum shifted in France's favor, their efforts inching ever closer as Hampton was forced into a good save, sticking out a leg to deny Elisa De Almeida.
And it was the Paris St Germain defender whose initial midfield interception served as the catalyst for the opening goal, delivering a well-weighted pass to Delphine Cascarino.
San Diego Wave forward Cascarino then sent the ball across the face of goal, where Katoto obligingly tapped in.
Baltimore doubled their advantage three minutes later, Leah Williamson and her Chelsea teammate Lucy Bronze unable to contain the in-form Blues star before she rifled into the top right corner.
VAR ruled – much to Wiegman's visible chagrin – that Russo had not been fouled in the build-up.
The second half got off to a lively start for France, with Hampton denying Grace Geyoro but fumbling her save and having to scramble back just in time to prevent more damage.
James' evening ended after 60 minutes as part of a triple substitution by Wiegman.
The Lionesses appeared to be running out of time and opportunities by the 77th minute when Grace Clinton made her major tournament debut, followed shortly after by Michelle Agyemang's.
But England were suddenly sparked to life, substitute Ella Toone nearly halving the deficit with a deflected effort.
Walsh finally clawed one back after France could not fully clear an England corner, the Chelsea midfielder taking advantage, guiding a shot past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin from the edge of the area to give the Lionesses a fighting chance.
But, while they finally looked a threat, five minutes of added time were not enough to salvage a draw.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar