ZURICH (AP) — England set a number of unwanted firsts as it began the defense of its Women’s European Championship title by losing to France 2-1 on Saturday. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scored two quickfire goals towards the end of the first half as France recorded a ninth straight win and stunned the defending champion.

Group D action at the UEFA Women's Euro tournament begins Saturday with two exciting matchups, the second one will feature a clash between France and England.

France survived a late scare to defeat reigning champions England 2-1 in their opening match of the 2025 Women's Euros. England had the ball in the back of the net first as Alessia Russo got on the end of a rebounded save. However, following a VAR check, it was determined that there was an offside offence in the build-up to the goal.

England head into this summer's tournament in Switzerland as reigning champions after their victory on home soil at Euro 2022.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman felt the defending champions created their “own problems” after opening their Euro 2025 campaign with a 2-1 loss to France in Zurich.The Lionesses were forced to regroup after Alessia Russo had an early goal chalked off following a VAR review for offside in the build-up and needed to dig deep after Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scored within four first-half minutes.

We didn't get it right' - Wiegman on England defeat to France. Posted: July 5, 2025 \ 'We didn't get it right' - Wiegman on England defeat to France. M