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Lionesses make unwanted history after slipping to disappointing defeat in Euro 2025 opener against France

Women's EURO

England

Wales

Netherlands

France

<p>With the defeat in Zurich, England created an unwanted history as they became the first team in history to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-women-player-ratings-france-leah-williamson-jess-carter-epitomise-lionesses-atrocious-defending-sarina-wiegman-begin-euro-2025-historic-loss/blta134122682edfa95" target="_blank">lose their opening match of the Euros</a> as defending champions. The Lionesses won the title back in 2022, beating Germany in the final.</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 - England are the first ever team to lose their first match at a UEFA Women’s EURO tournament as the reigning champions. Reality. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WEURO2025</a> <a href="https://t.co/KS100vkAiE">pic.twitter.com/KS100vkAiE</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1941606104686850121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Sarina Wiegman's side made a bright start to the game and were the more dominant side right from the off. Alessia Russo even scored the opening goal in the 16th minute, but after a VAR check, the decision was overturned. France then scored twice in a span of three minutes just past the half-hour mark to seal the fate of the game.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>England, being placed in the group of death, have further complicated their path to the knockout stage with the loss in the opening game. They now need a result against Netherlands next week to avoid becoming the first defending champions in Euros history to crash out of the group stage.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Leah Williamson and Co will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on European giants Netherlands.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

Lionesses make unwanted history after slipping to disappointing defeat in Euro 2025 opener against France | Goal.com

Reigning champions England got off to a disappointing start in the Women&apos;s European Championship as they went down 2-1 against France in their tournament opener on Saturday. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore were on target for France in the first half, while Chelsea midfield star Keira Walsh scored a late consolation goal for the Lionesses. 

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