Defending champions England faced a tough start in their Euro 2025 campaign, suffering a 2-1 defeat against France in Zurich. This match marked a challenging encounter for the Lionesses, who entered the tournament with high hopes of defending their title.

Returning to the starting XI, Lauren James made an immediate impact, showcasing her skills within the first minute. She quickly found herself in France’s penalty area, attempting a left-footed shot that veered off-target, signaling her determination to contribute. Just three minutes later, James demonstrated her agility by weaving around defenders at the edge of the box, delivering a cross that narrowly evaded her teammates.

England's initial excitement was dampened when Alessia Russo appeared to give the Lionesses an early lead. However, a VAR review showed that Beth Mead was marginally offside in the buildup to the goal, resulting in its disallowance. This decision shifted the momentum in favor of France, who capitalized on their opportunity. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, making her major tournament debut, received a warm applause after successfully collecting a free-kick from Selma Bacha.

As the match progressed, Hampton faced increasing pressure from the French attack. She made a crucial save against Elisa De Almeida, but France's persistence paid off in the 36th minute. After a well-timed interception by Paris Saint-Germain defender Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Delphine Cascarino received a perfectly weighted pass and sent the ball across the goal line, allowing Katoto to tap in the opener.

Just three minutes later, France struck again. Sandy Baltimore, a forward for Chelsea, showcased her prowess by maneuvering past England’s defense and firing a powerful shot into the top corner, doubling France's lead. Controversially, a VAR check confirmed that Russo had not been fouled in the buildup, much to the displeasure of England's coach Sarina Wiegman.

The second half kicked off with France looking to extend their lead. Hampton, despite fumbling an earlier save against Grace Geyoro, remained alert, scrambling to avert further damage. In an effort to revitalize England’s attack, Wiegman made a triple-substitution that included the removal of James after 60 minutes.

Time was running short for England, and by the 77th minute, the team continued to struggle to create clear chances. However, the introduction of substitutes sparked a renewed sense of urgency. Ella Toone nearly reduced the deficit with a deflected shot before Keira Walsh finally broke through. After a corner that France failed to clear, Walsh skillfully guided a shot from the edge of the area past goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, giving the Lionesses a glimmer of hope with only a few minutes remaining.

Despite England's late push, including five minutes of added time, they could not find an equalizer. The defeat served as a stark reminder of the challenges they will face in their quest to retain the Euro title.

Fans can catch all the action of Euro 2025 with comprehensive coverage on RTÉ Sport, available on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, and the RTÉ News channel.