The reigning European champions endured a worrying start to their title defence, despite Keira Walsh's late consolation strike
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England's Lionesses started their European Championship title defence in concerning fashion on Saturday, with a 2-1 defeat to France marking the first time in competition history that a reigning champion has opened their campaign with a loss. It began so well for Sarina Wiegman's side too, who appeared to mark a bright start with an Alessia Russo goal after just 16 minutes. However, VAR intervened to overturn it and, 25 minutes later, Les Bleues assumed, and rarely let go, of total control.
The French had looked vulnerable and, in truth, poor in the opening stages as well, with the centre of their defence seeming especially suspect amid the controversial omission of long-time captain Wendie Renard. But Russo's disallowed goal appeared to kick Laurent Bonadei's side into life, who scored twice in three minutes just past the half-hour mark. There was a lot to like about both goals from a France perspective, be it the electric wing play of Delphine Cascarino, the clever movement of Marie-Antoinette Katoto or the tenacity of Sandy Baltimore. Still, it was impossible to ignore the awful defending on England's part, which left a lot to be desired on both occasions.
From there, the Lionesses struggled to get back into things, despite a triple sub on the hour mark and more changes later on. Instead, it was France who looked the more likely to add to the scoreline, most notably when Hannah Hampton nearly spilled Grace Geyoro's strike into her own goal. That all changed in a frantic finale, capped by Keira Walsh's fantastic strike three minutes from time. However, that flurry came far too late for England to get anything from their opener. In the 'group of death', things don't get much easier either, with a result against the Netherlands needed on Wednesday in order for the Lionesses to avoid becoming the first defending champion in competition history to be eliminated in the group stage.
GOAL rates England's players from Stadion Letzigrund…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (4/10):
Made an outstanding first-half save, not knowing the flag was up. Couldn't do much about either goal, though did nearly spill one into her own net for 3-0.
Lucy Bronze (3/10):
Poor on the ball and didn't cover herself in glory at all for France's second goal.
Leah Williamson (3/10):
Completely lost track of Katoto for the first goal and then was very poor for the second, too.
Alex Greenwood (4/10):
The best of a bad bunch at the back, though not without fault.
Jess Carter (3/10):
Had serious problems dealing with Cascarino, who created the opening goal and tormented her all game. Off on the hour.
AdvertisementMidfield
Keira Walsh (5/10):
Failed to have any sort of control on the game beyond the 20th minute, though did score a superb goal late on to narrow the deficit.
Georgia Stanway (3/10):
Poor pass sparked the attack which led to France's opener. It was one of several sloppy moments from someone usually so reliable.
Lauren James (5/10):
England's brightest spark and so often the catalyst for everything good in attack. Could only manage an hour, though, having played just once since April.
Getty ImagesAttack
Beth Mead (3/10):
Honoured her defensive duties but, in attack, her final ball was often really poor.
Alessia Russo (5/10):
Only sight of goal was tucked away, then ruled out for the narrowest offside. Lacked service otherwise.
Lauren Hemp (4/10):
Started brightly but faded. Needed to help Carter out more in defence, too.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Niamh Charles (4/10):
The first of a triple sub on the hour. Was a little better at left-back than Carter and created a good chance for Toone late on.
Chloe Kelly (3/10):
Couldn't have an impact on the game with the little control England had of it.
Ella Toone (4/10):
Brought energy late on and had a decent couple of looks at goal, though both blocked.
Grace Clinton (N/A):
On for the final 10 minutes or so.
Michelle Agyemang (N/A):
Made her senior tournament debut in the closing stages and had a positive impact, too.
Sarina Wiegman (3/10):
Should've made changes earlier than the hour mark in order to wrestle back some control of a game that was slipping away from England at a ridiculous rate. Was lucky that her decision to wait didn't cost the Lionesses more goals, but equally it didn't help the team get back into things until it was far too late. Has to do something to address the defensive frailties for the next game or England could crash out early than any defending European champion ever has.