France strike perfect balance in beating defending champions England to open EURO 2025 campaign

France kicked off their UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 campaign in emphatic style, defeating reigning champions England 2-1 on Saturday (5 July).

In the 28th meeting between these two European giants of women's football, it was the Lionesses who seemed to strike first, Alessia Russo pouncing on a loose ball in the box. It was ultimately chalked off with a tight offside call falling in the favour of Les Bleues.

Shortly after the 30-minute mark France carved open the opposition backline, Delphine Cascarino’s teasing ball across the face of goal calmly finished off by Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

Three minutes later, wreaking havoc down the opposite flank, Sandy Baltimore fired into the roof of the net to double her side’s lead.

Keira Walsh’s cushioned volley from the edge of the area sparked English hope late on, but France remained disciplined—and ultimately successful—in their pursuit of three points in Zurich.

Elsewhere in Group D, the Netherlands comfortably saw off debutants Wales 3-0. Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring in the first half, netting her 100th international goal for the Dutch.

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