France rallied from behind to defeat England 2-1 in Newcastle in a crucial Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday, while Jenni Hermoso scored as world champions Spain won 2-0 in Denmark.
Reigning European Champions England took the lead on the half-hour mark at St James’ Park when Arsenal’s Beth Mead blasted home after the ball broke to her in the box.
However, France equalized before the break when Elisa De Almeida hooked in a volley from a corner, and they startled the home crowd by going ahead midway through the second half thanks to a wonderful finish from inside the box by Paris Saint-Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
France then held on to make it three wins in a row, and they now lead Group 3 in League A, with the top two advancing directly to next year’s European Championship in Switzerland.
France came back from behind to defeat England 2-1 in Newcastle in a key Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday, while Jenni Hermoso scored as world champions Spain won 2-0 in Denmark.
Reigning European Champions England took the lead at St James’ Park on the half-hour mark when Arsenal’s Beth Mead fired home after the ball broke to her in the box.
Sweden’s forward #19 Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 League A Group 3 qualifying football match between Ireland and Sweden at Aviva stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on May 31, 2024. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)
However, France equalized before the halftime when Elisa De Almeida hooked in a volley from a corner, and they surprised the home fans by going ahead midway through the second half thanks to a stunning finish from inside the box by Paris Saint-Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
The setback could hamper the holders’ chances of entering the finals, since England is now tied on four points with Sweden, which triumphed 3-0 away to Ireland in Dublin.
Sweden’s forward #19 Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (R) celebrates scoring the team’s third goal during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 League A Group 3 qualifying football match between Ireland and Sweden at Aviva stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on May 31, 2024. (Photo by PAUL FAITH / AFP)
France’s coach, Herve Renard, complimented the performance as sending a “important signal” to their opponents.
“It wasn’t France’s best match, but we demonstrated that we can be powerful when we travel.
It’s the prize for teamwork,” Renard continued, adding that it was “the best conceivable way to prepare for the Olympic Games” in Paris this summer.
Sarina Wiegman, England’s manager, said: “It’s really frustrating. We should’ve won the game. No matter how good the goals were, you still have a chance to stop them. The first one was amazing, as was the second. It is frustrating, and we need surely tighten things on second balls.”
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd of Chelsea scored twice for Sweden, following a goal by Fridolina Rolfo, and Ireland is at the bottom of the table with no points halfway through the season.
The rematch between France and England takes place on Tuesday in Saint-Etienne, with Sarina Wiegman’s side conscious that they cannot afford to lose another game.
Friday’s victory is a boost for Herve Renard’s France team, which is also preparing for their attempt for Olympic gold in the 2018 Games on home soil, with Spain and Germany the other European contenders.
Protester delays Israel game.
Spain made it three wins from three in Group 2, with Hermoso taking the lead in Denmark before Mariona Caldentey added a penalty.
The World Cup winners, who included numerous members of Barcelona’s Champions League-winning squad, even though Aitana Bonmati was left on the bench, are now three points ahead of the Danes at the top of the group.
Behind them, Belgium earned their first points with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
Elsewhere, Germany leads Group 4 with maximum points after defeating Poland 4-1, with Giulia Gwinn scoring twice.
Austria and Iceland drew 1-1 in the same group, while Group 1 leaders the Netherlands overcame Finland 1-0 and Norway drew 0–0 with Italy.
Meanwhile, the League B, Group 2 qualifier between Scotland and Israel in Glasgow was delayed for more than 30 minutes after a demonstrator evaded security at Hampden Park and chained himself to a goalpost.
Friday’s game in Glasgow, like the’return’ encounter in Hungary on June 4, was held behind closed doors, with no spectators.
That decision was made in the context of the continuing Israel-Gaza war.
But on Friday, as pro-Palestinian protests erupted outside Scotland’s national stadium, it was revealed just before the scheduled 1805 GMT kick-off that someone had gained admission to the arena and attached himself to one of Hampden’s goalposts with a heavy-looking chain around their neck.
The demonstrator, dressed in a ‘Red Card For Israel’ T-shirt, was eventually removed before the teams emerged for a second warm-up, with the game beginning at 1836 GMT.
Scotland won the match 4–1.