Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s second-half goal lifted France to a 2-1 victory away to reigning champions England in their Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying match at St James’ Park on Friday that kept Les Bleues in top spot in the group.
France lead section A3 with nine points after three games, while the Lionesses’ loss was a big blow, dropping them to third below Sweden, who trounced Ireland 3-0 earlier on Friday.
Sweden and England have four points apiece but the Swedes lead on goal difference. The Irish are bottom without a point.
“Absolutely frustrating,” said England manager Sarina Wiegman. “I thought we played pretty well. We conceded two goals out of set plays, which we have to be really better.”
Beth Mead put the hosts ahead on the half-hour when she latched on to Lauren Hemp’s low cross to fire home from close-range.
France raised their game and Elisa de Almeida volleyed home a corner from Kenza Dali in the 41st. Katoto put the visitors ahead after 68 minutes, turning to fire a shot into the far corner past substitute goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
England, who saw their six-game unbeaten streak end, lost starting keeper Mary Earps to injury after eight minutes. While Wiegman said she did not know the severity of Earps’s injury, the Manchester United keeper left the stadium on crutches.
“It was a strange start. That’s not the way we were expecting, and we had to get organised again (after the early keeper substitution),” said Wiegman.
World No. 2 England, and third-ranked France meet again on Tuesday in Saint-Etienne in a game with significant ramifications.
The top two teams in each group automatically advance to next year’s European Championship in Switzerland while the remaining seven spots will be decided by two rounds of playoffs in the autumn.
Sweden will be eyeing another three points when they host winless Ireland on Tuesday.
The Lionesses host Ireland on July 12 and play Sweden away four days later in their final group game.
“There is still lots to win,” Wiegman said. “This is disappointing but tomorrow review and then that’s done and go into Tuesday with a chance to play again, win again.”
In other League A games on Friday, World Cup champions Spain beat Denmark 2-0, Norway and Italy played to a scoreless draw, Austria and Iceland drew 1-1, the Netherlands edged Finland 1-0, Germany thrashed Poland 4-1 and Belgium beat Czech Republic 2-1.
