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 the direction of the top of the match as France pulled a objective again to half the deficit, however they received the job carried out and picked up three treasured factors.
Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway opened the scoring within the twenty first minute, scoring an amazing objective from distance to place England 1-0 up.
Alessia Russo doubled the benefit simply earlier than half-time, heading residence from Lauren Hemp’s cross and placing the European champions in full management of the match.
France had an enormous likelihood to claw one again earlier than the break, Kadidiatou Diani sending her header huge from just some yards out.
Taking all three factors again residence. đź‘Š
Our #WEURO qualification journey continues in July! pic.twitter.com/l3QA8cba7A
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2024
However captain Leah Williamson offered a route again into the sport for the hosts by conceding a penalty which Diani stepped up and slotted residence effortlessly.
There was not a lot for Hannah Hampton to do throughout many of the match, however she was known as into motion a couple of instances within the ultimate quarter-hour.
She pulled out an excellent save to disclaim Marie-Antoinette Katoto within the massive likelihood for the French to return 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 objective 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 staff effort. You realize the second half goes to be totally different and they’ll push, however we labored so laborious to remain collectively and maintain the win.
Collectively. We transfer. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3JUTGyhcNu
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2024
“You realize they’ll press. They have been actually chasing us. We now have 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 need to take these moments out after all.
“We need 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 whenever 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 proper course
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 at present. We battled for 95 minutes, we made positive we weren’t leaving this stadium and not using a good end result.
“We’re not happy with how this week has been however at present is a large step in the proper course for us.
“It’s completely huge. We knew how necessary it was to get the three factors. That’s a very massive win for us at present.”
