England vs France LIVE: Euro 2025 qualifier result and reaction as Katoto goal gives visitors crucial win

England suffered defeat in their Euro 2025 qualifier against France leaving them in a precarious position in Group A3. Coming into the match second in the table, the Lionesses would have ended the night top had they been victorious.

Sarina Wiegman’s side managed to shake off a lethargic start to open the scoring with Lauren Hemp darting into the left side of the penalty area and picking out Beth Mead. The returning Arsenal winger took control of the ball and slotted it home to open the scoring at St. James’ Park.

However, France equalised before the break with Elisa De Almeida meeting a corner ball and volleying the equaliser into the far top corner. Hannah Hampton, subbed onto the pitch after an early injury to Mary Earps couldn’t reach the pinpoint accurate shot.

The match was then settled in the second half from another French corner. England failed to deal with the initial ball and Kadidiatou Diani nodded it back to Marie-Antoinette Katoto who’s swivel shot finished in the bottom corner.

Sweden’s win over the Republic of Ireland means England drop to third and will need to beat France away from home in their next match to get back in contention in this group.

Relive the action from England v France in Euro 2025 qualifying below:

Euro 2025 qualifiers - England vs France LIVE

• England stunned at St. James’s Park as Marie-Antoinette Katoto completes comeback win in Euro qualifier

• Mary Earps subbed off with early injury

• 68’ GOAL! - Katoto curls France into the lead (ENG 1-2 FRA)

• 45+3’ SAVE! - Peyraud-Magnin denies Mead on stroke of half-time (ENG 1-1 FRA)

• 41’ GOAL! - De Almeida volleys in the equaliser (ENG 1-1 FRA)

• 33’ SAVE! - Hampton leaps to the left and denies Lukrar (ENG 1-0 FRA)

• 30’ GOAL! - Mead’s calm touch puts the Lionesses ahead (ENG 1-0 FRA)

• 23’ CLOSE! - Toone curls one wide for England (ENG 0-0 FRA)

England stunned at St. James’s Park as Marie-Antoinette Katoto completes comeback win in Euro qualifier

22:17 , Mike Jones

Marie-Antoinette Katoto left defending champions England with a mountain to climb as France came from behind to snatch a priceless Euro 2025 qualifier victory at St James’ Park.

Beth Mead had given the Lionesses a 30th-minute lead in head coach Sarina Wiegman’s 50th game at the helm, but Elisa De Almeida levelled before the break to set the stage for Paris St Germain striker Katoto to secure a 2-1 win in front of a crowd of 42,561.

The defeat leaves England in third place in Group A3 behind the French and Sweden, who beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in Dublin, and knowing that anything less that a win in the reverse fixture in St-Etienne on Tuesday night could scupper any lingering hopes of finishing top.

England stunned as Marie-Antoinette Katoto completes comeback win in Euro qualifier

FT England 1-2 France

22:35 , Mike Jones

England manager Sarina Wiegman, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is very disappointing. We should have won the game. No matter how good the goals were, you have a chance to stop it. The first one was fantastic and so was the second. It is disappointing and we definitely need to tighten up on second balls.

“I thought we were energised. We are going to need to be more on Tuesday in France so it doesn’t matter. It is the same for them. It’s been a long season for everyone that plays international football. That wasn’t a factor today. I felt good and I know the players around me did. We were pushing right until the end but we’re going to need more on Tuesday.

“Yeah, absolutely. Tonight was a must-win in our minds that is why we’re disappointed. Tuesday is a chance to go again.”

FT England 1-2 France

22:24 , Mike Jones

England forward Beth Mead speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is disappointing. I thought we started a bit slow but grew into the game really well. I would argue that we were the better team in the game overall but ultimately two very good teams and it comes down to small margins and they scored from two set pieces which is obviously really frustrating.

“Over the two set pieces they were sharper but at the same time defensively I thought we defended really well and gave them few very chances bar the two goals. It is really frustrating.

“It is a little different having previously played for Sunderland but the atmosphere was amazing when the ball went into the back of the net but just a shame the goal didn’t count towards a win today.

“A lot can happen. We’ve just got to look at each game and just hopefully trying to get the wins and three points on the board. It is a tough group so we’ll have to keep trying to go each game at a time.”

FT England 1-2 France

22:19 , Mike Jones

England forward Beth Mead speaking to ITV Sport: “Disappointed, frustrated. I actually thought we were the better team, created more chances. Ultimately we got beat on two set pieces and that’s something we need to look at and rectify.

“It’s a really tough game, a lot of quality on show. Small margins won them the game today.

“I thought Hannah [Hampton] came on, made an amazing save, was amazing with her feet. We need to get our rhythm early and set ourselves to play better across the 90 mins.

“We’ve got to get straight into recovery, watch and analyse the game. Not give away set pieces, not concede from set pieces. We’ve got to rectify that.”

FT England 1-2 France

22:06 , Mike Jones

Mary Earps has been spotted on crutches as England head off the pitch. That doesn’t look good for the England No. 1 who will probably miss the match against France on Tuesday now too.

FT England 1-2 France

22:03 , Mike Jones

Reaction from former England and Manchester City goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley, on BBC Radio 5 Live:

“It’s been an exceptional performance from France, very professional. They were fantastic finishes.

“They executed their game plan really well. Unfortunately it was slightly untidy from the Lionesses at times and they didn’t manage to put away the chances they had.

“Frustrating.”

Full-time! England 1-2 France

22:01 , Mike Jones

90+5 mins: There goes the final whistle. England have been beaten at St. James’ Park. They were off the pace again and were punished in the second half by a well drilled France.

The Lionesses drop to third in Group A3 and now must win away from home to get themselves back in contention in the group.

England 1-2 France

21:53 , Mike Jones

90+3 mins: It’s all game management now from France. Maintaining possession, keeping England at bay and running down the clock.

Can the Lionesses create one more chance?

England 1-2 France

21:51 , Mike Jones

90 mins: There’s another five minutes of added time to play at the end of the game. Five minutes for England to get their equaliser.

England 1-2 France

21:47 , Mike Jones

86 mins: Kelly and Bronze combine in the penalty area with the right-back dancing into the six-yard box. She tries to put the ball on a plate for Russo but Lakrar gets back to intercept and block the pass.

England 1-2 France

21:43 , Mike Jones

83 mins: De Almeida chips a pass over the top of the England defence but Diani is slightly offside as she makes her dart in behind. France are in control of this game, England need to create something late in this game.

England 1-2 France

21:40 , Mike Jones

80 mins: Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly are met with loud rounds of applause as they come onto the pitch for England. Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway are the two players replaced.

Can the substitutes have the deserved impact for Sarina Wiegman?

England 1-2 France

21:39 , Mike Jones

77 mins: Time is ticking away from England. France are maintain this lead well enough and defending their own box with relative comfort.

England 1-2 France

21:35 , Mike Jones

74 mins: Katoto, who could possibly have won this game for France, fouls Stanway inside England’s half. The Lionesses work the ball out to the right and try a threaded pass in behind.

It’s too heavy and Russo has no chance to get to the ball.

England 1-2 France

21:32 , Mike Jones

71 mins: England need a response. Will they find another level now?

They work is nicely over to Hemp on the left and she drives a cross into the middle of the box. Mead get her head on the end of the pass but loops her effort wide of the nearest post.

GOAL! England 1-2 France (Katoto, 68’)

21:30 , Mike Jones

68 mins: Disaster for England!

It’s another set piece that England fail to properly deal with. The second ball comes into the box with Russo nodding it to the edge of the box.

England are slow to get out and Diani nods the ball over to Katoto. She shoots on the swivel and nestles the ball into the far bottom corner.

England 1-1 France

21:27 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Nice work from England. Slick passing sees them get the ball to Georgia Stanway in the box. The opportunity to shoot is there for her but she passes out to Lucy Bronze instead.

Bronze lifts in a cross looking for Alessia Russo but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin leaps for the ball and plucks it out of the air.

England 1-1 France

21:23 , Mike Jones

63 mins: Beth Mead is on corner taking duties for England and curls in the set piece. She can’t find a teammate but Lucy Bronze manages to come away with the ball and keep possession for the Lionesses.

England 1-1 France

21:22 , Mike Jones

60 mins: An hour played at St. James’ Park. Sweden are beating the Republic of Ireland in the other group match of the night meaning that if things remain as they are then England and France will still stay above them in the table.

A loss for England though would drop them to third.

England 1-1 France

21:18 , Mike Jones

57 mins: It’s a lot better from England. They look more composed and in control especially when passing around the back between Leah Williamson and Millie Bright.

Bright lifts a long pass over to Georgia Stanway on the right wing and the midfielder wins a throw in.

England 1-1 France

21:14 , Mike Jones

54 mins: Hemp curls a corner ball into the box and finds Russo. She nods the ball towards goal but hits Millie Bright and France clear the danger.

England have started well in this half.

England 1-1 France

21:12 , Mike Jones

51 mins: Leah Williamson steps up the pitch for an intercept before releasing Lauren Hemp into space with a fine pass out to the left wing.

Hemp drives forward and curls in the cross with only Alessia Russo on hand to meet the ball. Wendie Renard leans into the forward and does enough to distract her as the ball goes flying over botht players’ heads.

England 1-1 France

21:08 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Sandie Toletti receives the ball after England are sloppy in possession. France turn it over high up the pitch with Toletti dancing along the front edge of the box before fizzing a low shot into the arms of Hannah Hampton.

Second half! England 1-1 France

21:06 , Mike Jones

No changes from either manager as the second half gets underway. France work the ball over to the right wing but it’s quickly picked up by England who win themselves a throw in.

HT England 1-1 France

21:03 , Mike Jones

England are dominating the stats with more possession (56% to 44%), more shots (6 to 4) and more touches in the box (15 to 7). Yet the stat that matters is that both teams have scored just one goal.

Sarina Wiegman will be able to see the signs that her team can go on to win this match but England will need to find another level to make it comfortable.

Protesters gather outside Hampden Park ahead of Scotland Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier versus Israel

20:59 , Mike Jones

Protesters gathered around Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow ahead of Scotland Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier versus Israel this evening.

The crowds were protesting Israel’s continued participation in international football following the country’s part in an ongoing conflict against Palestine.

Intense shelling and gunfire in the Gaza border city of Rafah is the latest update from the conflict with Israel saying it is now in effective control of Gaza’s entire land border.

Protesters gather outside Hampden Park ahead of Scotland’s Euro qualifier vs Israel

HT England 1-1 France

20:55 , Mike Jones

Half-time! England 1-1 France

20:51 , Mike Jones

45+5 mins: Nothing to separate the teams at the break. England started slowly but get themselves into the game and took the lead through Beth Mead.

France looked bereft of ideas inside the final third until Elisa De Almeida took a chance from a corner and volleyed in the equaliser.

All to play for in the second half.

England 1-1 France

20:50 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Save!

That’s brilliant from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. Lucy Bronze drives forward with the ball before offloading it to Beth Mead. The winger carries it into the box, checks to the left and curls a shot towards the far post.

Peyraud-Magnin sets herself and leaps to the right before pushing the ball wide of the goal!

England 1-1 France

20:46 , Mike Jones

45 mins: There’s five minutes of added time to play given Mary Earps’ injury early on in this match.

Jess Carter is booked for tugging on Delphine Cascarino’s shirt. France were on the counter and the defender did what she needed to to stop that attack developing.

England 1-1 France

20:44 , Mike Jones

44 mins: Every chance they get England are trying to get Lauren Hemp in behind the lines. Too often though the Lionesses’ central midfielders, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone, are underhitting passes to her allowing Elisa De Almeida to sweep up possession.

GOAL! England 1-1 France (De Almeida, 41’)

20:41 , Mike Jones

41 mins: What a goal this is!

From a corner France curl the ball into the middle of the box. Elisa De Almeida breaks away from Keira Walsh and meets the ball on the volley.

It’s slightly behind her but she manages to hook it into the far top corner and out of the reach of a flying Hannah Hampton. France are level.

England 1-0 France

20:40 , Mike Jones

39 mins: Nearly! France manage to kick on with a counter attack as Kadidiatou Diani drives the ball up the pitch. She releases it across to Delphine Cascarino who swings a cross into the middle of the box.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto sticks out her leg and gets to the ball but can only lift the effort up and over the crossbar.

England 1-0 France

20:35 , Mike Jones

36 mins: England will want another goal before they start to feel settled. Despite the scoreline, the Lionesses have struggled to find a good rhythm and are turning up in small batches of skill and pace.

England 1-0 France

20:34 , Mike Jones

33 mins: Can France respond to going a goal down?

They win themselves a corner that gets delivered into the middle of the penalty area by Selma Bacha. The target is Maelle Lukrar who bombs a headed effort towards goal.

It’s sneaking in but Hannah Hampton leaps to her left and palms the ball wide. Great save!

GOAL! England 1-0 France (Mead, 30’)

20:31 , Mike Jones

30 mins: The Lionesses take the lead!

The goal is made by Lauren Hemp who darts into the box from the left. She’s given the ball and once again cuts it back into the middle where there’s loads of space.

Ella Toone looks to get on the end of the pass but is held up. Nevertheless the ball sneaks through to Beth Mead who takes a touch then sidefoots her effort past the goalkeeper with ease!

England 0-0 France

20:28 , Mike Jones

26 mins: A cross field pass from Millie Bright perfectly picks out Lauren Hemp on the left wing. England drive forward and work the ball around the edge of the box.

Alessia Russo is slipped in behind Maelle Lukrar and she touches the ball before blazing a shot over the top of the net!

England 0-0 France

20:23 , Mike Jones

23 mins: Close! Russo recover ths ball high up the pitch and feeds it into the box for Hemp. The winger cuts the ball back into the middle of the box where Ella Toone pops up to take a first time shot.

She feeds it across the face of goal ut just sends her effort wide of the far post!

England 0-0 France

20:22 , Mike Jones

22 mins: Ella Toone wants a free kick after a handball inside France’s half but the referee lets play go on as England storm forward. Georgia Stanway flicks the ball out ot Lucy Bronze on the right side and the defender whips a teasing pass into the penalty area.

She’s hoping to find a teammate but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin is first to the ball and safely brings it under control.

England 0-0 France

20:19 , Mike Jones

20 mins: Sarina Wiegman looks thoughtful on the sidelines. She’s obvious thinking hard about how her team are playing here and it won’t be happy thoughts.

France’s failure so far is to click into gear in the final third. That’s the only thing missing from their game as they’re the better side at present.

England 0-0 France

20:16 , Mike Jones

17 mins: Walsh looks to thread a pass through the middle of the pitch to feed Hemp in behind the lines. Elisa De Almeida has the forward covered though and keeps her at bay long enough for Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to scoop up the ball.

England 0-0 France

20:15 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Sketchy. That’s the best way to sum up the first quarter of an hour. England are trying to get control of the ball, France trying to impose themselves on the Lionesses.

Neither side budging. Kenza Dali is man-marking Keira Walsh at present which is making it tough for England to transition the ball.

England 0-0 France

20:12 , Mike Jones

12 mins: England haven’t quite got into the game yet. They’re making some simple mistakes with France pressing intensely. Alessia Russo wins a free kick inside Les Bleus final third and there’s an opportunity to work the ball into the box.

Beth Mead swings it in and looks for Millie Bright. The central defender leaps up but just misses out on a header.

England 0-0 France

20:09 , Mike Jones

9 mins: Hannah Hampton is now on as Mary Earps limps off the pitch. England boot the ball forward down the left and Lauren Hemp collects it on the edge of the box. She offloads the ball and Jess Carter takes over before running into trouble.

France clear their lines.

England 0-0 France

20:07 , Mike Jones

6 mins: Mary Earps sends a clearance up the pitch and pulls up immediately. She can’t carry on here, she’s not comfortable at all and Sarina Wiegman needs to sub her off.

Hannah Hampton is getting ready on the sidelines. Outside of the injury, England have been sloppy defensively, Leah Williamson and Millie Bright both look slightly off the pace.

England 0-0 France

20:04 , Mike Jones

4 mins: Earps gets back to her feet but she’s hobbling around. She tries to run off the injury and gets a loud round of applause from the crowd.

The corner ball is whipped in by Selma Bacha but gets nodded out of the middle of the penalty area.

England 0-0 France

20:02 , Mike Jones

2 mins: A regulation pass from Mary Earps sees her go down off the ball before the corner is taken. The physios have come on to treat her and from the stretches it seems to be a problem with her hip.

Not the start she’d want for her 50th England appearance.

Kick off! England 0-0 France

20:01 , Mike Jones

Alessia Russo gets the ball rolling for this crucial Euro 2025 qualifier. England have a poor record against France but they’ll be hoping to banish those demons at St. James’ Park tonight.

Delphine Cascarino presses high and puts Millie Bright under pressure. She blocks Bright’s pass and wins France a corner.

England vs France

19:56 , Mike Jones

The players walk out onto the pitch and the national anthems are sung. This is going to be a cracking game. Kick off is up next...

England vs France

19:50 , Mike Jones

Fran Kirby has scored in both of England’s last two meetings with France, only scoring more times in her international career against Sweden (3); the last Chelsea player to score on home soil for the Lionesses was Lauren James in February 2023 against Korea Republic.

England vs France

19:45 , Mike Jones

Only Beth Mead (24) has scored more goals for England under Sarina Wiegman than Alessia Russo (18), who has scored six goals in her six qualifiers for the Lionesses (5 in 4 World Cup qualifiers, 1 in 2 Euros qualifiers).

England vs France

19:40 , Mike Jones

This will be Sarina Wiegman’s 50th game in charge of England, becoming the fourth manager to hit a half of century of games in charge of the Lionesses after Hope Powell (161), Martin Reagan (68) and Mark Sampson (59). Wiegman (W37 D8 L4) could equal Sampson (38) for the second most wins in the nation’s history in this match with only Powell winning more (85).

England vs France

19:35 , Mike Jones

England will play at St. James’ Park for the very first time with this the 87th different ground they’ve used as a home venue; they have won four of their last five games when playing at a new stadium in England with the exception a 2-0 loss to Australia at the Brentford Community Stadium last April.

England vs France

19:30 , Mike Jones

England are unbeaten in each of their last 28 European Championship qualifiers since an 8-0 loss away to Norway in June 2000 (W22 D6), scoring 85 goals and conceding just nine times.

England vs France

19:25 , Mike Jones

France have won four of their last five away games in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in three of those victories; their only loss in that time came against world champions Spain in Sevilla.

England vs France

19:20 , Mike Jones

England won 12 of their first 15 home (excl. neutral venue) matches in all competitions under manager Sarina Wiegman (D3) but have since won just three of seven such games (D3 L1).

England vs France

19:15 , Mike Jones

After losing on their first away trip to England in 1974 (0-2), France are since unbeaten in four away games against the Lionesses without conceding; the last two meetings have finished 0-0 however, the most recent of those coming in October 2016 in a friendly.

England vs France

19:10 , Mike Jones

England have won just two of their last 23 games against France (nine draws, 12 defeats), but both victories have come across their last four meetings (L2), at the 2017 European Championships and the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.

England vs France team changes

19:05 , Mike Jones

Sarina Wiegman has named centre-back pairing Leah Williamson and Millie Bright in the team together for the first time since February 2023.

Jess Carter starts at left-back with Ella Toone starting ahead of Fran Kirby and Grace Clinton in the number 10 role and Beth Mead getting the nod over Chloe Kelly.

It’s a strong France squad with a powerful frontline consisting of Paris St-Germain’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Lyon pair Kadidiatou Diani and Delphine Cascarino.

There’s also a third start in a row for Aston Villa midfielder Kenza Dali.

England vs France line-ups

19:01 , Mike Jones

England XI: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Carter; Stanway, Walsh; Mead, Toone, Hemp; Russo.

France XI: Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Lakrar, Renard, Bacha; Toletti, Karchaoui, Dali; Diani, Katoto, D. Cascarino

Williamson on England’s favourites tag

18:55 , Mike Jones

“I suppose on paper we are defending champions of this competition but it’s easy to forget we are still in qualifying. France are a top team and I see it as fairly even.

“If that’s the tag we have to take then it’s not a bad place to be.”

Williamson previews the England squad

18:50 , Mike Jones

Leah Williamson is back in the England squad after recovering from a long-term injury and the captain is excited to get back on the pitch with the Lionesses.

She said: “We’ve had a lot of rotation but because of the way we play and the quality we have we’re afforded the luxury of keeping our style whoever plays.

“It’s easier for other players to step in to a role because there’s a good understanding between us. So I’d hope that anybody stepping in would go well, including Millie [Bright].

“She’s [Aggie Beever-Jones] confident but she’s very respectful which I like about her. I hope she knows she deserves her place here and I was joking with her today that she’s not afraid to leave one on us in training.

“She’s got quality and she looks at home. I think she’s further ahead in terms of how she’s fitting compared to when I came in as a youngster.”

Kerry Davis on overdue recognition, online abuse and the ‘fabulous’ Lauren James

18:45 , Mike Jones

Kerry Davis, the first black woman to play football for England, hopes “brilliant” forward Lauren James will never let racist abuse stop her from stepping into a well-earned spotlight.

Like other trailblazers, Davis has attracted renewed attention in the wake of England’s Euro 2022 triumph and a corresponding run of overdue recognition, from her induction two years ago into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame to receiving, in March, Football Black List’s Keith Alexander Award for outstanding contributions to the game and community.

James has emerged as one of Chelsea and England’s most dynamic talents, finishing joint runner-up in the Women’s Super League top-scorer charts this season and last summer scoring three times and adding as many assists in her maiden World Cup.

Kerry Davis on overdue recognition, online abuse and the ‘fabulous’ Lauren James

Wiegman on the challenge posed by France…

18:40 , Mike Jones

“I think they’ve always been really good. We haven’t analysed them really well at the Euros and World Cup because we were not playing them but we’ve been following them all the time.

“They are very athletic, they have players who always want the ball. They’ve had some small tweaks in their style of play but we know they want the ball and they want to go forward.

“And they’re not scared to go a little bit direct either.”

The venue for tonight’s match

18:35 , Mike Jones

England will be playing away from Wembley for this qualifier with the match taking place at St. James’ Park in Newcastle. It’s a decision that makes attending the match more accessible for those outside of London and Sarina Wiegman is excited to be back in the North East.

“It’s very nice to be in this area again,” she said, “We’ve played at Sunderland and now at Newcastle. I have never been in the stadium before and I hear it’s a great stadium.

“In every place in the world we want to grow the game and we want people to enjoy it. I want to get to know more areas of England but I think my family know a lot more because they have time to go around whereas we’ve always got games.

“I hope to do more and get to know it better.”

Wiegman on promoting Jessica Naz to the full squad

18:30 , Mike Jones

The England boss spoke about her decision to bring Jessica Naz into the full squad for the games against France saying: “Jess deserves it.

“All of the standby players are like sponges, they really want to learn quick. I told them that they are equals now and they should go for it.

“It helps they are from the Under-23s and they are used to being around. I see good things from them and it helps that they have very good players around them.”

Injury blow for England as Lauren James ruled out of France double-header

18:25 , Mike Jones

England boss Sarina Wiegman has been dealt a huge blow ahead of the Euro qualifier double-header against France after Lauren James was forced to pull out through injury.

The 22-year-old attacker reported for international duty with a foot injury and has had to admit defeat in her efforts to prove her fitness ahead of Friday night’s Group A3 fixture at St James’ Park and the trip to St-Etienne which follows on Tuesday.

Wiegman, who confirmed Tottenham’s Jess Naz had been drafted into the squad from the stand-by list as a result, said when asked if everyone was fit: “No, not everyone is available for selection.

Injury blow for England as Lauren James ruled out of France double-header

Lauren James will miss the match

18:20 , Mike Jones

Chelsea star Lauren James has picked up another injury meaning she is going to miss tonight’s match against France. Sarina Wiegman confirmed James’ absence in the pre-match press conference saying:

“Lauren James hasn’t made it, so she is not available for selection for tomorrow.

“She already had some foot issues from the club season and we hoped we could build it up for tomorrow but it’s just too early. She will miss the game in France as well and she’s going to get prepared for July.

“Jessica Naz will take her place in the full squad.”

England vs France prediction

18:15 , Mike Jones

England are ranked number two in the world with France just behind at number three. That only shows that this match will be a tough one and a closely fought for affair.

Les Bleus will know that a win tonight would put them on the verge of automatic qualification while England need to gain back some momentum lost during their draw with Sweden.

The match could go either way and as a result it’s likely to end in a draw.

England 1-1 France.

England vs France latest odds and predicted line-ups

18:10 , Mike Jones

Here’s how we see the two teams linig up tonight:

England XI: Earps; Bronze, Williams, Bright, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh; Kelly, Toone, Hemp; Russo.

France XI: Peyraud-Magnin; Lakrar, Mbock, Renard, Bacha; Dali, Geyoro, Toletti; Diani, Cascarino, Katoto.

And here are the latest odds for the game:

England win 11/10

Draw 23/10

France win 2/1

Our football betting sites can be found here.

England vs France team news

18:05 , Mike Jones

Sarina Wiegman has suffered a blow with Lauren James ruled out of both this and Tuesday’s game, while Niamh Charles and Lotte Wubben-Moy have been forced to withdraw from England’s squad with calf and foot injuries respectively. Maya Le Tissier has been called up to provide defensive cover.

Eugenie Le Sommer is absent for France due to injury, while Vicki Becho will serve a suspension having been dismissed in stoppage time of the win over Sweden.

How to watch England vs France

18:00 , Mike Jones

England vs France is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 31 May at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game live on ITV4, with coverage on the channel from 7.15pm. A live stream will be available via ITVX.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Good evening!

16:00 , Mike Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers. England are taking on France at St. James’ Park in Group A3.

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses are currently second in the table following a 1-1 draw with Sweden and a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.

France are unbeaten in the group having won both of their matches so far. They top the group but the next two matches could determine which side has a firm grip on first place.

England play consecutive matches versus Les Bleus and will open up a four point lead on their opponents if they win both of them.

We’ll have all the team news, updates and more throughout the night so stick around as we build up to kick off at 8pm.