Les Bleues win in England and keep the lead in the qualifiers

In an ultra-tough Euro 2025 qualifier group, the Blues continue their flawless run. Friday May 31, in front of 42,561 spectators at St James’ Park in Newcastle, the French players won a third victory in three matches, beating the English (2-1), undefeated for twenty-four years in qualifying matches. Europe championship.

Almost two months after a great victory in Sweden (1-0), Wendie Renard’s squad, who equaled Sandrine Soubeyrand’s captaincy record (84), nevertheless faced a big name in world women’s football. England are the reigning European champions and vice-world champions. The English even occupy second place in the FIFA rankings, behind the untouchable Spanish.

In the north of England, the French team had a series of good and bad times. But more than a century after the first match organized across the Channel between English footballers and French footballers, winners (2-0) and led by the pioneer of French women’s sport Alice Milliat, the Blues came to surprise the “Lionesses” on their territory.

The flawless performance of the Bleues

First in group A3 before this perilous trip, the French players were keen to maintain this status. It’s done since they now have nine points, ahead of Sweden and England (4 points) and Ireland (0 points). Tuesday June 4 in Saint-Etienne, they will welcome the English for the return match.

Relegated to the stands following his exclusion during the last match, the French coach, Hervé Renard, observed with haughtiness the good behavior of his protégés, coached by his assistant, Laurent Bonadéi. The sanction having been lifted fifteen minutes after the final whistle, the coach was able to participate in the post-match press conference. “Congratulations to Laurent [Bonadéi], to the staff and the girls. It may not be the best match but you have to be strong when you travel here.”he greeted.

The start of the match for the English was rather feverish, like goalkeeper Mary Earps’ restart error. The Mancunian was injured in the action and left a few minutes later, replaced by Hannah Hampton. But the timid start of the locals does not benefit the French, who do not insist enough on the pressing which easily puts the English defense in difficulty.

Conversely, it is the Lionesses who will be the first to crack their opponents. A first warning allows Lauren Hemp, who left behind Elisa De Almeida, to serve behind Ella Toone who fails to hit the target (23rd).

At the half-hour mark, the delays of the French defense allowed the English to open the scoring. Maëlle Lakrar initially lacks attention on a blocked ball. De Almeida once again lets Hemp cross, Selma Bacha misses her intervention and Beth Mead emerges to score without opposition (1-0). Trained at Sunderland, the neighboring club and rival of Newcastle, the striker is one of the locals of the stage.

As often since the start of the Hervé Renard era in March 2023, Wendie Renard’s teammates have proven dangerous on set pieces. A first corner from Bacha is well headed by Lakrar and forces Hampton to make a good save (33rd).

On another corner kick, this time taken by Kenza Dali, Elisa De Almeida made up for her difficult start to the match by volleying which lobbed the opposing goalkeeper (1-1, 41st). From now on, nine of the last twelve goals for Les Bleues have been scored in this way. “We scored once again from set pieces, this is an area that we are working on tirelessly”reacted Laurent Bonadéi.

Just before the break, the England team came close to regaining the advantage at the worst time. In difficulty defensively, like a week ago in the Champions League final with OL against Barça, Selma Bacha was easily dribbled by Beth Mead, who was deprived of a double by a superb save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin ( 45ᵉ + 4 minutes). The goalkeeper of Les Bleues and Juventus Turin performed very well, particularly during her aerial outings.

While the game was rather balanced in the second period, Wendie Renard’s teammates had the best opportunities. Delphine Cascarino wreaks havoc in the English rearguard and her shot lacks precision (54th).

Katoto gives victory

The French will make the difference with around twenty minutes remaining in the match. They first obtain a corner, which is poorly pushed back the first time by the opponent, put away by Kenza Dali and once again poorly cleared. The ball is then deflected with a header by Kadidiatou Diani for her former PSG teammate, Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

Until then confined to a thankless role at the forefront of the attack, the scorer managed a magnificent pivot volley to score the winning goal (68th, 2-1).

Laurent Bonadéi makes the first of three changes to try to resist the latest assaults from the vice-world champions: Amandine Henry replaces Cascarino (69th). Before at the end of the match, Elisa De Almeida gave up her place to Eve Périsset and Marie-Antoinette Katoto left hers to a debutant, Louna Ribadeira.

Thanks to this result, the Blues continue their good run. More than ever, they are aiming for an eighth consecutive participation in the European Championships which will take place next year in Switzerland. Since their first qualification in 1997, their best result – a semi-final – came in 2022 in England.

“We must seek this qualification as quickly as possible to best prepare for the Olympic Games, which are the main objective this summer”, blurted out Hervé Renard. Les Bleues will begin their Olympic tournament on July 25 in Lyon against Colombia.