England's Euro 2025 campaign starts with loss to France despite late rally

Reigning European champions England were dealt a 2-1 defeat by France in their Euro 2025 opener in Zurich, with Keira Walsh's late goal serving as little more than a consolation.

Lauren James made her return to Sarina Wiegman's starting line-up and it seemed England had taken the lead against the 2022 semi-finalists, but an early goal from Alessia Russo was disallowed following a VAR review. Instead, it was Marie-Antoinette Katoto who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, followed swiftly by Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore who doubled France's advantage just three minutes later.

A flurry of late substitutions breathed new life into the Lionesses in the final moments of the match, and Walsh managed to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute, but England couldn't claw back a draw.

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With Thomas Tuchel, the manager of England's men's team, looking on from the stands, James wasted no time getting involved. Within the first minute, she had seized control of the ball within France's penalty area and unleashed a left-footed shot that sailed wide of the top corner.

Just three minutes later, the Chelsea forward was weaving around the edge of the box, delivering a cross that narrowly missed connecting with several England players. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton experienced her first major tournament action when she confidently collected Selma Bacha's free-kick, earning a round of applause from the England contingent behind her.

Russo believed she had found the net after capitalising on the rebound from Lauren Hemp's saved shot, but a VAR review revealed Beth Mead had been slightly offside during the build-up to Hemp's initial effort, resulting in the goal being disallowed.

The tide turned in favour of France, with their attempts coming increasingly close as Hampton was compelled to make a good save, using her leg to thwart Elisa De Almeida. It was the Paris St Germain defender whose initial interception in midfield set up the first goal, delivering a well-timed pass to Delphine Cascarino.

San Diego Wave forward Cascarino then sent the ball across the goal, where Katoto dutifully tapped it in. Baltimore extended their lead three minutes later, with Leah Williamson and her Chelsea colleague Lucy Bronze unable to restrain the on-form Blues star before she fired into the top right corner.

VAR decided – much to Wiegman's visible annoyance – that Russo had not been fouled in the build-up. The second half began energetically for France, with Hampton denying Grace Geyoro but mishandling her save and having to scramble back just in time to prevent further damage.

James' evening concluded after 60 minutes as part of a triple substitution by Wiegman. By the 77th minute, the Lionesses appeared to be running out of both time and opportunities when Grace Clinton made her major tournament debut, followed by Michelle Agyemang's a few minutes later.

However, England were suddenly revitalised, with substitute Ella Toone nearly reducing the deficit with a deflected effort.

Walsh managed to pull one back for England after France failed to effectively clear an England corner, with the Chelsea midfielder capitalising on the opportunity and steering a shot past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin from the edge of the box, giving the Lionesses a glimmer of hope.

However, despite finally posing a threat, the additional five minutes were insufficient for the Lionesses to secure a draw.