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 aspect did have to carry on in the direction of the tip of the match as France pulled a aim again to half the deficit, however they bought the job accomplished and picked up three treasured factors.
Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway opened the scoring within the twenty first minute, scoring an incredible aim from distance to place England 1-0 up.
Alessia Russo doubled the benefit simply earlier than half-time, heading house 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 house. 👊
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 house effortlessly.
There was not a lot for Hannah Hampton to do throughout many of the match, however she was referred to as into motion a number of occasions within the ultimate quarter-hour.
She pulled out a superb save to disclaim Marie-Antoinette Katoto within the massive probability 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 aim 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. the second half goes to be completely different and they’ll push, however we labored so onerous to remain collectively and hold the win.
Collectively. We transfer. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3JUTGyhcNu
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2024
“ they’ll press. They have been actually chasing us. We now have to make higher choices, be a bit calmer.
“We performed into their arms a bit. We all know once they win the ball there they’ve gamers which can be so fast. We need to take these moments out in fact.
“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 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 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 number 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 certain we weren’t leaving this stadium with no good consequence.
“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 large. We knew how necessary it was to get the three factors. That’s a extremely massive win for us at present.”
