June 5 – England stunned Nations League Group 3 leaders France in Saint-Étienne with a 2-1 victory that boosted their Euro 2025 automatic qualification hopes.
It was the first time England women had beaten the French in France since 1973, and the first time the French women had lost on home soil since the 2019 World Cup quarter finals.
England remain third in the qualifying group on seven points, level on points with Sweden but with an inferior goal difference, and two points behind France. All teams have two games remaining in July.
The hard-fought victory followed a 2-1 defeat against the French at St James’s Park last week. England responded dramatically with coach Sarina Wiegman calling England’s first 45 minutes “one of the best halves we’ve ever played”.
Goals from Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo gave the English a 2-0 lead at half time.
“Of course it gives a boost,” Wiegman said. “You 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, top‑level teams and that’s exactly what you see.”
The Lionesses host the Republic of Ireland in July before finishing their qualifying campaign against Sweden.
Across the other qualifying matches, Spain continued to impress with a thumping 7-0 thrashing of Belgium to reach 12 points in League A Group 2 and guarantee a seeded slot at Euro 2025.
Two draws in League A Group 1 means that Netherlands remain top on seven points, with Norway and Italy both just two points off top.
Germany continue to lead League A Group 4 thanks to an away victory over Poland to make it four wins from four and also book a place at Euro 2025.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734933204labto1734933204ofdlr1734933204owedi1734933204sni@g1734933204niwe.1734933204yrrah1734933204