England hold on to beat France 2-1 in Saint-Etienne
Lionesses still third in Group A3 despite victory
France top of group on nine points, Sweden above England on goal difference with seven points, Republic of Ireland bottom with no points
Top two in group qualify automatically for next summer's tournament in Switzerland, bottom two enter play-offs
Brilliant Georgia Stanway strike put Lionesses in front, Alessia Russo heads in second before break
Kadidiatou Diani pulled goal back with second-half penalty
Thank you for joining us tonight. A good win for England, and a performance much more befitting of European champions.
We'll be back next month to see if the Lionesses can build on that, and qualify automatically for Euro 2025.
See you then.
FT: France 1-2 England
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
England boosted their chances of qualifying for Euro 2025 with a strong display to beat France in Saint-Etienne.
Just four days after losing 2-1 to the same opponents at St James' Park, the defending European champions served a reminder of the levels they are capable of reaching in a brilliant first-half display, but had to hold on amid a nervous ending.
Georgia Stanway's thunderous strike set the tone early on as she put England 1-0 up, and Alessia Russo doubled the advantage, nodding in Lauren Hemp's curling cross before half-time.
France should have scored when Kadidiatou Diani headed wide from a few yards out on their first set-piece before half-time, and the home side did eventually respond when England captain Leah Williamson conceded a penalty after the break.
Diani stepped up to deliver from the spot, sending goalkeeper Hannah Hampton the wrong way, after Williamson's trip on Grace Geyoro.
But for the Lionesses, this was a much-improved performance and rewarded manager Sarina Wiegman for sticking to her selection choices, despite criticism over a perceived lack of rotation.
You can read Emma Sanders' full story from France by clicking the Report tab at the top of this page
World champions Spain have become the third team to qualify for Euro 2025 after a dramatic 3-2 win at home to Denmark.
The Danes had led 2-0 until three goals in the final 16 minutes courtesy of a Irene Paredes brace and Lucia Garcia's stoppage time winner sealed victory and progress to the finals.
Earlier today, Germany's 3-1 win away at Poland confirmed their qualification for next year's Euros.
Switzerland are the other team guaranteed to be at the tournament, as the host nation.
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Why can’t we ever keep up the performance from the first half to the second? The first half was incredible and then once again, we let France back in. At least we got the result as I think it would have been curtains on our qualifying if we’d lost or drawn that game. Russo was outstanding and deserves every accolade that comes her way. Also that save from Hannah Hampton might well have kept us in the Euros. Brilliant to see another England goalie finding her feet, and literally with this one with some of those passes out from the back!
Catie
Scotland recorded a 5-0 win against Israel behind closed doors in Budapest earlier today, keeping them top of Group B2 and guaranteeing that they will reach the play-offs.
Wales conceded in the eighth minute of added time as they were held to a 2-2 draw away at Ukraine, seeing them fall to second in the Group B4 standings. But like Scotland, they are now guaranteed to reach the play-offs.
Northern Ireland suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Group B3 leaders Portugal earlier this evening. Should they beat Malta next month, they will guarantee themselves a play-off place.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: France 1-2 England
England
England Georgia Stanway speaking to ITV: "We were on the front foot from the beginning. We knew the other day wasn't bad but there was a few things we had to tweak. We did that today. We battled for 95 minutes, we made sure we weren't leaving this stadium without a good result. We're not satisfied with how this week has been but today is a massive step in the right direction for us."
On her goal: "I had some really good talks following the last game on how I can adjust my positioning. Today I can be proud and I can be happy. I put a shift in both in and out of possession."
On the importance of the result: "It's absolutely massive. We knew how important it was to get the three points. That's a really big win for us today."
FT: France 1-2 England
Another piece of good news for England tonight - no-one left the pitch on crutches.
Sarina Wiegman will welcome no further injury worries ahead of the crucial final qualifiers next month.
FT: France 1-2 England
England
England boss Sarina Wiegman speaking to ITV on what pleased her: "A team effort. You know the second half is going to be different and they are going to push, but we worked so hard to stay together and keep the win."
On Alessia Russo's impressive display: "She's working so hard on that [hold-up play] and being in right positions in the build-up, being in the right positions when we come in the final third. You saw today and Friday she played a proper game too."
On if she was disappointed to let France back in: "You know they are going to press. They were really chasing us. We have to make better decisions, be a bit calmer. We played into their hands a bit. We know when they win the ball there they have players that are so quick. We want to take those moments out of course."
On if England are boosted heading into July's games: "Of course it gives a boost. We want to win and we are in a better position now. The group is totally open. We said from the beginning this is a really tough group with top level teams. It helps when you win, but most of all we did better than Friday."
FT: France 1-2 England
Despite that win tonight, England are still currently outside the automatic qualification places for Euro 2025.
So what happens if England don't finish in the top two in Group A3, meaning they have to go through the play-offs?
If they finish third or fourth in the group, they go into the two-round play-offs. In the first round, they would face one of the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up in League C of this qualifying system. Those are the lowest ranked sides in Europe, so England would fancy their chances.
Get through that, and England would go into the 14-team final round of the play-offs, and would be one of the seven teams seeded for that decisive fixture.
Both rounds of the play-offs are two-legged ties, and the seven teams who win their way through will join the top eight sides in League A, plus hosts Switzerland, at Euro 2025.
So England would be favourites to make it through the play-offs - but really, it would be much safer to finish in the top two of this group.
Easier said than done.
FT: France 1-2 England
That was a slightly tetchy final 20 minutes for England with four yellow cards picked up, all for dissent or time wasting.
This was at the same stadium where David Beckham was sent off in 1998 for kicking out at Diego Simeone during England v Argentina at the men's World Cup.
What does the Saint-Etienne air do to English footballers?
FT: France 1-2 England
England have ultimately won this game thanks to a stellar 30 minutes in the first half. They were irresistable at times, with some attacking display on par with anything seen under Sarina Wiegman.
France for their part were surprisingly timid, allowing England so much time to play. You could hear just how angry manager Herve Renard was getting with his team.
The hosts improved after the break, but failed to really test Hannah Hampton (penalty notwithstanding) until the 89th minute. England had to dig deep and cling on at times, but the win was well-earned.
FT: France 1-2 England
This was England's first win in France for 51 years in a women's international.
This was the first time France have lost at home since the 2019 World Cup, a run of 21 games.
It should not be underestimated what a big win this is for England.
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Good win but time for Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze to go. Both giving the ball away far too often.
John
FT: France 1-2 England
England goalscorer Alessia Russo speaking to ITV: "I think we got our standard's back to where we wanted them. There are still parts we will work on for sure. We know the level is higher than ever and to even qualify for the Euros is going to be harder than ever."
On if this was her best performance in an England shirt: "I don't know. I'll have a look back after. When you're in the moment you are so focused on the game. I just tried to do what I could. France are a top side with some of the best centre-backs in the world. It was nice to get on the scoresheet but we created a lot of better chances tonight."
On her praise from pundits: "It is really nice. I'm just trying to work hard. I'm learning there is so much more to the nine [than scoring]. I'm just trying to work on my game each day."
On the confidence going into July's qualifiers: "We know our standards have to be higher. We probably let them slip a bit recently. We know the talent we have, we know the potential we have and we saw a lot more flashes of it tonight."
England are still outside the automatic qualification places, but are in much better shape than they looked before kick-off tonight.
They only trail Sweden on goal difference. The Swedes beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 earlier today.
If England beat the Irish in Norwich in their next fixture, they know they will move into the top two regardless of what happens in France v Sweden the same evening.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: France 1-2 England
France came roaring back at England in that second half. After the break they had nine shots while the Lionesses only took three.
France also finished the game with greater possession, seeing 55.3% of the ball.
The only stat that matters, though, is the scoreline.
FT: France 1-2 England
Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
Hannah Hampton was the player of the match after that save. It's so difficult to go 90 minutes and barely have anything to do and to come out and produce and have the poise and to make that save. The initial shot, she was ready to dive at speed. She had to ground herself and dive again. She had excellent concentration and changed her output to make that save. It was a fabulous save at a critical moment that won her team the game.
FT: France 1-2 England
Carrow Road is what's next. England host Republic of Ireland in Norwich on 12 July in their next Euro 2025 qualifier.
They then travel to Gothenburg four days later to face Sweden in what could prove the automatic qualification decider.
France 1-2 England
Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
Every single player has been excellent.
The game understanding and technical capacity, they should be so proud of tonight. This should be a lesson of how to turn it around.
FT: France 1-2 England
Sarina Wiegman made a huge call to name the same outfield players for this match, who started the defeat to France on Friday. It is a call which has handsomely paid off.
It's almost as if the only woman to coach England to a major title knows what she is doing.
The last time France lost a competitive fixture at home had been in the quarter-final of the 2019 Women's World Cup
England boosted their chances of qualifying for Euro 2025 with a strong display to beat France in Saint-Etienne.
Just four days after losing 2-1 to the same opponents at St James' Park, the defending European champions served a reminder of the levels they are capable of reaching in a brilliant first-half display, but had to hold on amid a nervous ending.
Georgia Stanway's thunderous strike set the tone early on as she put England 1-0 up, and Alessia Russo doubled the advantage, nodding in Lauren Hemp's curling cross before half-time.
France should have scored when Kadidiatou Diani headed wide from a few yards out on their first set-piece before half-time, and the home side did eventually respond when England captain Leah Williamson conceded a penalty after the break.
Diani stepped up to deliver from the spot, sending goalkeeper Hannah Hampton the wrong way, after Williamson's trip on Grace Geyoro.
Hampton, filling in for injured Mary Earps, had rarely been tested but France turned up the pressure in the second half and England were dragged into a scrappy affair.
Clinging to a slim lead at the end, Hampton produced a superb save to deny Marie-Antoinette Katoto from close range as England did enough to claim a valuable victory which sees them move two points behind Group A3 leaders France, though still in third place in the table on goal difference.
For the Lionesses, this was a much-improved performance and rewarded manager Sarina Wiegman for sticking to her selection choices, despite criticism over a perceived lack of rotation.
"It was [much improved]. I think we played a very good first half and created many chances too," said Wiegman.
"The second half was always going to be different because they want to force goals. We had to work really hard to get the win."
Wiegman was bullish when questioned on Friday and here was her justification – in patches, this was the European champions at their best against the team ranked third in the world - though it became nervy at times towards the end.
"You make those discussions. For me it is [just] putting the best players on the pitch. That's basically my job, of course," said Wiegman.
"You asked the question of being unpredictable. We want to be unpredictable. I think today we did really well."
The top two teams from the League A groups will qualify automatically for Euro 2025, with the other two sides entering the play-offs.
England, having already lost to France and drawn at home against Sweden, came into this match five points off the leaders.
It was not strictly a must-win contest, but it felt that way given the level of competition still to come, with England preferring not to have to travel to Sweden to face the world's sixth best team needing victory.
And so they played with a hunger and desire to win, building pressure early on and capping a rousing first-half effort with two well-taken goals.
Chances had come and gone for Ella Toone, Beth Mead and Russo before Hemp teed up Stanway and she let rip from 25 yards, rippling the net with a powerful strike.
Hemp was the provider again when she picked out Russo, unmarked, in the box for England’s second goal, before Stanway saw another effort fly narrowly wide.
Diani's miss just before the break encouraged the home crowd, though, and the noise lifted in the second half as France carried more of an attacking threat.
The hosts forced England to open up, creating a feisty and scrappy second half which suited France – and they eventually capitalised through Diani's spot-kick.
England's scintillating first half was almost forgotten as France peppered their box, causing problems.
They almost found an equaliser late on when Kenza Dali teed up Katoto, only for Hampton to produce a fine fingertip save.
The final whistle brought relief for Wiegman and her players, as England became the first team in almost five years to inflict a home defeat on France in a competitive fixture.
"Obviously you are going to get punished, especially against a team like England," said France boss Herve Renard.
"The reaction in the second half was perfect. We pushed a lot and were hoping to get an equaliser at the end. The goalkeeper made a great save.
"England got their revenge, but we are still leaders and have two points more than the other teams. The objective is to qualify and be the leaders at the end."
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
|
| 2 | Norway | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
|
| 3 | Italy | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 4 | Finland | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 12 |
|
| 2 | Denmark | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Belgium | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Czech Republic | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Sweden | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
|
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 12 |
|
| 2 | Iceland | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
|
| 3 | Austria | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Poland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Turkey | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Hungary | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | Serbia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
|
| 3 | Slovakia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Israel | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 15 | -12 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 12 |
|
| 2 | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 6 |
|
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Malta | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croatia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
|
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | Ukraine | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 4 | Kosovo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | -11 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belarus | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 |
|
| 2 | Georgia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
|
| 3 | Lithuania | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Cyprus | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slovenia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 12 |
|
| 2 | North Macedonia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 7 |
|
| 3 | Latvia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 14 | -10 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Moldova | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montenegro | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 10 |
|
| 2 | Greece | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 10 |
|
| 3 | Faroe Islands | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Andorra | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 18 | -16 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romania | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 12 |
|
| 2 | Armenia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Bulgaria | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albania | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Luxembourg | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
|
| 3 | Estonia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
Manager: Hervé Renard
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Hervé Renard
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
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