Les Bleues overthrow England at home and continue their flawless performance

Led on the field of the European champions, the French team managed to turn the match around on Friday, thanks to two goals scored following corners.

The recipe worked again. Trailing by the score, the France team finally took on England (2-1), Friday 31 May, in Newcastle. His third victory in as many matches in these Euro 2025 qualifiers, which has an even more beautiful flavor than that acquired in Sweden at the beginning of April. And for good reason, the Lionesses are reigning European champions and vice-world champions.

Ironically, what will remain as one of the most notable successes of the Hervé Renard era was played without the coach, suspended after his red card received in Gothenburg. He followed the meeting in the stands, like the over 42 000 spectators gathered at St James’ Park, alongside the president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, and that of the new Women’s Professional Football League, Jean-Michel Aulas.

But his precepts, which his deputy Laurent Bonadéi was responsible for implementing from the French bench, were nevertheless respected. Like 10 of the last 13 French achievements, the goals of Elisa De Almeida, from a pivotal strike (41st), and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, from a recovery from the right on a cross from Kadidiatou Diani (68th), are came following two set pieces. In this case two corners.

Failing to be exciting, the Tricolores were effective, because the stands acquired in the cause of Lionesses had opportunities to exult. After a choppy start to the match due to the injury of their starting goalkeeper Mary Earps (5th), Sarina Wiegman’s players took the lead over the Blue midfielder in the first period. Aligned as a midfielder, the usual left-back Sakina Karchaoui has long struggled to fill the absence of Grace Geyoro, on the bench after fracturing a finger in training.

This lack of control had the effect of freeing the English wingers in the first half. After a first alert, Lauren Hemp left the French defense behind by running behind Elisa De Almeida to serve Beth Mead at six meters (30th, 1-0). The latter then forced Pauline-Peyraud Magnin to make a classy save (45th+4).

With this result, the French team begins to see the road to Switzerland, for Euro 2025. At the head of the pool of death with now five points ahead of England and Sweden (victorious 3- 0 in Ireland), the partners of Wendie Renard – who equaled Sandrine Soubeyrand’s captaincy record with 84 armbands worn, while Paris FC striker Louna Ribadeira honored her first cap – will have a first opportunity to stamp their ticket on Tuesday in Saint-Etienne, during the return match against the Lionesses. Before being able to fully turn towards the Olympics.