France forwards Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scored first-half targets as they beat reigning champions England 2-1 of their Girls’s Euro Group D opener on Saturday, handing Lionesses supervisor Sarina Wiegman her first defeat on the finals of the competitors.
After championship-winning runs with Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022, Wiegman got here into the sport unbeaten in 12 video games on the Euro finals, however the starting of the top of that run got here when Katoto scored from shut vary within the thirty sixth minute.
Her objective was the results of a brilliantly easy counter-attack, with Élisa De Almeida successful the ball and sending it down the road for Delphine Cascarino to chase and she or he squared it completely for Katoto to attain with a easy end.
The second objective three minutes later was a virtuoso solo efficiency from Baltimore, who dribbled and jinked and virtually misplaced the ball earlier than firing it excessive over Hampton into the web from a good angle.
James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Photographs
An uncharacteristically rudderless England didn’t register a shot heading in the right direction till Keira Walsh lowered the deficit with a strike from distance within the 87th minute, prompting a late cost from the Lionesses.
Alessia Russo and Grace Clinton each went shut and 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang had a goal-bound effort blocked by Selma Bacha, who threw herself at every little thing to guard the French objective within the closing minutes as her facet held on to win.
Netherlands, who beat debutantes Wales 3-0 earlier on Saturday, prime the group after the primary spherical of video games forward of their conflict with England on Wednesday in Zurich, whereas France can e-book their spot within the knockout stage with a win over Wales in St. Gallen the identical night.
Wiegman mentioned that the Lionesses had performed into France’s fingers by attempting to play the ball quick too usually, resulting in her facet turning into the primary reigning Girls’s Euro champions to lose their opener on the subsequent event.
“We wanted to get out of the primary press and skip (a participant), and that harmed us a bit they usually scored targets. On the finish we performed with 4 attackers, we actually tried to get the objective over the road, however we did not,” she advised broadcaster ITV.
“Once we have been out of their press, we have been too sloppy. We all know that they’re actually sturdy on the counter, they’re sturdy gamers and quick gamers … we all know France are actually good, however we triggered a little bit bit our personal issues.”
England captain Leah Williamson blamed particular person errors whereas defending one-on-one for the defeat, however was already wanting previous it.
“Everybody take accountability for themselves and take a look. Tomorrow we’ve a brand new sport plan, completely different locations accessible and completely different opposition,” she mentioned.