too messy, the Blues lost at home against a vengeful England

Winner of the first duel in Newcastle four days ago, the French team suffered the rebellion of the reigning European champions on Tuesday.

European champions should never be buried. In Saint-Etienne, the French team had the bitter experience of this on Tuesday June 4, logically losing to England (2-1), whom it had dominated four days earlier on its home field. Faced with a proud Lionesses who are sharper in front of the cages than at Newcastle, the Blues did not have the ingredients to hope for better than their first defeat in a qualifying match since June 2007 (Euro and World Cup combined). They will still have to wait to ensure their qualification for Euro 2025.

Absent in intensity, and even in desire in the first period, they were logically punished. First on a strike from the edge of the area from midfielder Georgia Stanway (22nd, 1-0), then on a header from Alessia Russo (33rd, 2-0). Enough to irritate the French against each other, while goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin did her best to prevent the gap from widening further (21st, 29th).

While its usual defensive solidity was shattered as the vice-world champions increased their incursions on its flanks, the French team this time was not saved by its set pieces. There was indeed a penalty scored by Kadidiatou Diani (74th, 2-1) for her 100th selection, while a delivery from Wendie Renard for Marie-Antoinette Katoto on a distant free kick from Selma Bacha had already resulted in a first thrill (45 ^e+2).

But this was not enough to mask the tricolor deficiencies in the game. Symbol of this impotence, Hervé Renard was content to return to his composition from the first match at the break, taking out Amandine Henry and Sakina Karchaoui to put Sandie Toletti back on midfielder and Delphine Cascarino on the wing. Which did not have the desired effect.

When it came time to push to come back, the Blues were never able to ignite a three-quarters empty Cauldron (10,194 spectators), despite the presence of some pioneers from 2002, qualified at the time for the first World Cup of the history of the France team thanks to a victory… against England.

The revenge of Sarina Wiegman’s players after their setback on Friday revives some of the suspense in the qualifying group. If France is still first with two days remaining, England and Sweden – who won 1-0 against Ireland – are within two points. We will need to obtain at least one victory in July, against Sweden or Ireland, to reach Switzerland, before focusing on the Olympic Games.