HOPE WIPED OUT

Late goal revives England but France hold on for win

- By RACHEL STEINBERG

DEFENDING champions England suffered a 2-1 loss to France in their Euro 2025 opener in Zurich, despite Keira Walsh's late consolation.

Lauren James returned to Sarina Wiegman’s starting XI and England thought they had struck first against the 2022 semifinalists but had an early Alessia Russo effort chalked off after a VAR check.

Instead Marie-Antoinette Katoto fired in a 36th-minute opener before Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore doubled France's lead three minutes later.

Late substitutions sparked the Lionesses into life in the closing stages and Walsh gave them hope, halving the deficit in the 87th minute, but they could not salvage a point.

With England men’s boss Thomas Tuchel watching on from the stands, James got herself involved inside the first minute, latching on to the ball inside France’s penalty area before firing a left-footed effort aimed at the top corner off-target.