What France win means for England’s Euro 2025 qualification hopes | Football

The European champions were beaten 2-1 by France in the reverse fixture just four days ago but produced an improved performance to win by the same scoreline in Saint-Etienne.

Georgia Stanway gave England the lead on 21 minutes with a superb strike and Alessia Russo doubled the advantage with a header before half-time.

France rallied after the break and set up a nervy final 20 minutes when Kadidiatou Diani scored from the penalty spot, but the Lionesses held on to claim a crucial win in Group 3.

How’s Group 3 looking now?

Despite the hard-fought victory England remain third in Group 3, level on points with Sweden who beat bottom-placed Republic of Ireland 1-0 earlier in the day.

France’s lead at the top of the group has been cut to two points after their perfect record in Euro 2025 qualifying was ended by the Lionesses.

England face Republic of Ireland in their next group game on July 12 knowing an expected victory would propel them into the top-two, regardless of the outcome of France v Sweden on the same night.

How can England qualify?

Finishing in the top-two will give England automatic qualification to Euro 2025, which takes place in Switzerland next summer.

But they could still make the tournament if they finish third or fourth courtesy of the play-offs.

Hypothetically, they would face one of the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up in League C in the first play-off round.

Progression from that would see Sarina Wiegman’s side enter the 14-team final round play-offs as one of seven seeded teams.

The second play-offs are two-legged ties, with the seven victors joining the already-qualified teams – plus hosts Switzerland – at Euro 2025.

What was said after the France win?

Wiegman praised ‘a team effort’ after England clinched their first win in France for over 50 years and said the victory puts her team in a ‘better position’ ahead of the final two Euro 2025 qualifying games next month.

‘Of course it gives a boost,’ she said. ‘We want to win and we are in a better position now. The group is totally open.

‘We said from the beginning this is a really tough group with top level teams. It helps when you win, but most of all we did better than Friday.’

Russo, meanwhile, was pleased the Lionesses ‘got their standards back’ following the recent defeat to France at St James’ Park.

‘I think we got our standards back to where we wanted them,’ she said. ‘There are still parts we will work on for sure. We know the level is higher than ever and to even qualify for the Euros is going to be harder than ever.’

After hosting struggling Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road on July 12, England Women conclude their Euro 2025 group campaign four days later in Sweden.

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