England boosted their Euro 2025 qualification hopes by beating France 2-1 in Saint-Etienne.
The Lionesses misplaced to the identical opposition at St. James’ Park 4 days earlier however put in a gritty efficiency to make sure they keep inside touching distance of Les Bleues.
Sarina Wiegman’s facet did have to carry on in direction of the top of the match as France pulled a purpose again to half the deficit, however they acquired the job performed and picked up three treasured factors.
Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway opened the scoring within the twenty first minute, scoring an incredible purpose from distance to place England 1-0 up.
Alessia Russo doubled the benefit simply earlier than half-time, heading dwelling from Lauren Hemp’s cross and placing the European champions in full management of the match.
France had an enormous probability to claw one again earlier than the break, Kadidiatou Diani sending her header broad from only a few yards out.
Taking all three factors again dwelling. 👊
Our #WEURO qualification journey continues in July! pic.twitter.com/l3QA8cba7A
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2024
However captain Leah Williamson supplied a route again into the sport for the hosts by conceding a penalty which Diani stepped up and slotted dwelling effortlessly.
There was not a lot for Hannah Hampton to do throughout a lot of the match, however she was known as into motion a couple of instances within the last quarter-hour.
She pulled out an excellent save to disclaim Marie-Antoinette Katoto within the huge probability for the French to come back away for a draw.
The win sees the Lionesses transfer again inside two factors of the Group A3 leaders, however they continue to be third on purpose distinction.
Wiegman was questioned for her lack of substitutions in Friday’s defeat on Tyneside however was a lot happier with the efficiency throughout the English Channel.
She stated: “A group effort. You already know the second half goes to be totally different and they will push, however we labored so exhausting to remain collectively and preserve the win.
Collectively. We transfer. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3JUTGyhcNu
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2024
“You already know they will press. They have been actually chasing us. We have now to make higher choices, be a bit calmer.
“We performed into their palms a bit. We all know once they win the ball there they’ve gamers which might be so fast. We wish to take these moments out after all.
“We wish to win and we’re in a greater place now. The group is completely open.
“We stated from the start it is a actually powerful group with top-level groups. It helps once you win, however most of all we did higher than Friday.”
Goalscorer Stanway shared her boss’ optimism going ahead and believes England have taken a step in the precise route
She added: “We have been on the entrance foot from the start. We knew the opposite day wasn’t dangerous however there was a couple of issues we needed to tweak.
That @StanwayGeorgia strike 🔥#Lionesses | @KINDSnacksUK pic.twitter.com/rhdHusHx0z
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2024
“We did that right now. We battled for 95 minutes, we made positive we weren’t leaving this stadium with out a good outcome.
“We’re not happy with how this week has been however right now is an enormous step in the precise route for us.
“It’s completely huge. We knew how essential it was to get the three factors. That’s a extremely huge win for us right now.”
