France Stun Reigning Champions England 2-1 in Women’s Euro 2025 Opener
Wiegman suffers first-ever Euros defeat as Katoto and Baltimore inspire French upset in Group D thriller
Reigning champions England suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to a razor-sharp France side in their opening Group D match at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, ending manager Sarina Wiegman’s unbeaten run in the competition.
First-half goals from Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore delivered a statement win for Les Bleues, while a late strike from Keira Walsh offered little more than consolation on a frustrating night for the Lionesses in Zurich.
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After 12 straight wins at the Women’s Euro finals spanning her time with the Netherlands and England Wiegman’s record finally cracked.
In the 36th minute, Katoto opened the scoring following a deadly counter-attack: defender Elisa De Almeida won the ball, fed Delphine Cascarino, and the Lyon winger squared it for an easy tap-in.
Just three minutes later, Baltimore produced a moment of solo brilliance. Dancing through England’s defense, she fired high past Mary Earps’ replacement, Hannah Hampton, from an impossible angle to double France’s lead.
Sloppy England Pay the Price
England struggled with composure and decision-making throughout the first half. Despite dominating possession, they failed to register a single shot on target until the 87th minute.
That strike a long-range effort from Keira Walsh reignited hope for a dramatic late comeback, as Wiegman threw on attackers and went with four forwards in the dying moments.
Alessia Russo had earlier seen a goal ruled out by VAR, and substitute Michelle Agyemang, just 19, nearly found the equalizer but was heroically denied by Selma Bacha, who threw herself in front of the shot.
History Made for the Wrong Reasons
England became the first defending Women’s Euro champions to lose their tournament opener in history a jarring statistic for a squad that entered the competition among the favorites.
Manager Sarina Wiegman admitted her team were “too sloppy” and played into France’s pressing strategy by trying to build from the back too often.
“We needed to skip a player in their first press and we didn’t. That harmed us,” Wiegman told ITV.
“We know France are strong on the counter. We caused some of our own problems.”
Voices from the Pitch
Captain Leah Williamson echoed her manager’s sentiments, pointing to lapses in individual defending:
“Everyone take responsibility. Tomorrow is a new day, a new plan.”
France’s Delphine Cascarino, who set up the opening goal, was named Player of the Match. After the game, she said the result was no surprise to her squad:
“We came here to win, and we knew we could beat them.”
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