The Englishwomen made a strong start with a great opportunity just 40 seconds in when Lauren James was played free in the penalty area, but the finish went high over. With a quarter of the game played, they had the ball in the net, but Swedish referee Tess Olofsson ruled out the goal for a minimal offside after a VAR review.
Instead, France would work their way into the game with physicality, technique, and skilled play in small spaces. In the 36th minute, Marie-Antoinette Katoto placed the ball in the goal with a beautiful pass from right-winger Delphine Cascarino.
Three minutes later, it happened again when Sandy Baltimore made her way into the penalty area from the left side, held off an English defender, and after a slight deflection, angled the ball into the far corner.
In the second half, it became dangerous several times - for France. But with four minutes left of regular time, Kiera Walsh scored the reducing goal on a corner kick return. England then created significant pressure, but the Frenchwomen managed to hold on.
”Les bleus” have thus given themselves an excellent starting position in group D, the group of death, where the Netherlands beat Wales 3-0 earlier on Saturday. Perhaps France, the constant medal favorite who has flopped time and time again in championships, can start dreaming big.
