ZURICH (AP) England set quite a lot of undesirable firsts because it started the protection of its Womens European Championship title by shedding to France 2-1 on Saturday.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scored two quickfire targets in direction of the top of the primary half as France recorded a ninth straight win and surprised the defending champion.
Keira Walsh decreased the deficit three minutes from time but it surely wasn’t sufficient to forestall England from changing into the primary titleholder to lose its opening match at a womens Euros.
The optimistic is that Ive not seen us like that … for some time, England captain Leah Williamson informed British broadcaster ITV. “We maintain ourselves to larger requirements in particular person battles and we improved on that all through the sport, which is sweet.
“Its actually irritating however effectively be again on it tomorrow and there was some actually good things in there, particularly on the finish.
The defeat additionally ended England coach Sarina Wiegman’s exceptional flawless report within the competitors, after profitable 12 out of 12 matches throughout two tournaments as she steered first the Netherlands to the title after which England.
The Lionesses subsequent face the Netherlands on Wednesday, earlier than taking over Wales of their last group match 4 days later.
The Netherlands beat Wales 3-0 within the early match in Group D.
France was with out injured captain Griedge Mbock, whereas England welcomed again Lauren James with the midfielder beginning her first match since a hamstring damage initially of April.
James nearly gave England the lead inside 40 seconds with a intelligent run into the field however fired narrowly over.
Alessia Russo thought she gave England the lead within the sixteenth minute, turning within the rebound after Lauren Hemps shot was saved but it surely was dominated out for a decent offside choice on Beth Mead within the buildup.
France grew in ascendancy after that. Sakina Karchaoui nearly scored what would have been one of many targets of the event as she lobbed Hannah Hampton however the ball landed within the side-netting.
Hampton additionally needed to make a few high-quality stops earlier than France broke the impasse within the thirty sixth. Elise De Almeida gained the ball in her personal half earlier than surging down the best and threading the ball by way of to Delphine Cascarino, who put in a low cross for Katoto to faucet in on the again submit.
France doubled its lead simply three minutes later. Baltimore mazed her means into the world, near the byline, and Lucy Bronze inadvertently stored the ball in play along with her tried deal with, permitting the Chelsea ahead to twist into the far aspect of the web.
France was nearly out of sight initially of the second half, with Hampton having to scramble behind her and seize the ball earlier than it crossed the road, after fumbling an effort from Grace Geyoro.
England hadn’t even had a shot on course earlier than it obtained again into the sport late on. A nook was cleared solely to the sting of the world for Walsh to calmly management earlier than firing into the highest proper nook for under her second worldwide aim.
The Lionesses nearly accomplished an inconceivable comeback within the last minute of stoppage time when France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin missed her punch and Hemp turned it goalwards however Selma Bacha cleared it off the road.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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