England claimed a stunning win in France to spark life into their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign with a vital 2-1 victory in Saint-Etienne.

The Lionesses were beaten by France in Newcastle on Friday but manager Sarina Wiegman’s decision to play an unchanged outfield line-up was rewarded with an improved display from the European champions.

Georgia Stanway’s stunning strike gave the Lionesses the lead midway through the opening half, before Alessia Russo met Lauren Hemp’s excellent cross to double England’s advantage.

Russo, in particular, deserved her goal following a brilliant all-round display leading the line, but the second half was a different story for England as France took control in search of an equaliser.

The hosts were given hope as Leah Williamson caught Grace Geyoro in  the box and Kadidiatou Diani sent Hannah Hampton the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Hampton then made a stunning save to deny Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the dying moments, as England held on and  France suffered their first home defeat in five years.

Follow all the reaction below as England claimed their first win away to France in 51 years

France vs England LIVE

• FT! England hold on to claim brilliant win over France in Euro qualifiers

• SAVE! 89’ Hannah Hampton makes stunning stop to earn England win (FRA1-2 ENG)

• 72’ GOAL! France pull one back from penalty spot as Diani converts (FRA 1-2 ENG)

• 34’ GOAL! England stun France as Alessia Russo header doubles lead (FRA 0-2 ENG)

• 22’ GOAL! Georgia Stanway rocket gives England the lead in France (FRA 0-1 ENG)

• Sarina Weigman’s side fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the return fixture last week

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England - Sarina Wiegman’s reaction

22:28 , Jamie Braidwood

The England manager was speaking to ITV:

“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.

“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.”

On Alessia Russo’s performance:

“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.”

Alessia Russo adds new dimension to England in crucial win over France

22:20 , Jamie Braidwood

England have had their fair share of wake-up calls as of late and they haven’t always heeded them. This time, though, they finally did what was required.

The Lionesses found their rhythm against France in Saint-Etienne and ironed out the issues which blighted them in Friday’s defeat in Newcastle. In doing so they handed a significant boost to their Euro 2025 qualification hopes.

They are joint-second in Group A3, trailing leaders France by two points with two fixtures remaining. The top two teams in the group automatically progress to next year’s tournament in Switzerland, the others have to endure play-off rounds.

It didn’t need a complete overhaul, rather some fine-tuning. That Sarina Wiegman opted to make no changes other than replacing the injured Mary Earps with Hannah Hampton turned some heads, but that soon faded out of the conversation.

Georgia Stanway delivered the first blow. Then Alessia Russo got in on the act. By half-time England were in the unexpected circumstance of leading 2-0 and it was definitely deserved.

Report by Adam Millington in Saint-Etienne

Alessia Russo adds new dimension to England in crucial win over France

Goodnight

22:56 , Jamie Braidwood

And finally here’s the Group A3 standings as we head into the final two rounds of fixtures. It’s all to play for between France, Sweden and England heading into July, and three does not go into two...

See you then!

France 1-2 England: HIGHLIGHTS

22:48 , Jamie Braidwood

22 mins: GOAL! England took a deserved lead in this must-win clash thanks to Georgia Stanway’s rocket of a strike.

34 mins: GOAL! Alessia Russo then doubled England’s advantage with this back-post header. The striker led the line brilliantly all night.

71 mins: PENALTY! France were given hope when England lost possession and Leah Williamson conceded a penalty. It set up a nervy ending.

89 mins: SAVE! Hannah Hampton made a brilliant stop to keep England in front, as the Lionesses held on to victory.

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England

22:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Some very positive reactions flying around about England’s first-half performance, with Karen Carney calling it one of the best she’s ever seen from the Lionesses under Sarina Wiegman.

Ian Wright, however, made sure to say that England could have been punished in the second half after letting France back into the game. The Lionesses would have expected to face some pressure from France - but their game management was a little sloppy at times.

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England: Next fixtures

22:27 , Jamie Braidwood

England host the Republic of Ireland on Friday 12 July, before travelling to Sweden on Tuesday 16 July.

With five weeks to go until those fixtures, England have the tricky task of balancing their off-season with training camps.

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England - Alessia Russo’s reaction

22:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Alessia Russo, who was surely player of the match, 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.

“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.

“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.”

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England

22:07 , Jamie Braidwood

This save from Hannah Hampton in the 89th minute...

A huge moment for the goalkeeper, with Mary Earps out injured. What a selection headache Wiegman has now!

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England

22:03 , Jamie Braidwood

So with two games to go:

France have nine points and Sweden and England have seven. France play Sweden next so someone will drop points.

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England

22:02 , Jamie Braidwood

A brilliant win for the Lionesses - an away in France to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Euros automatically alive!

A game of two halves, but so many standout performances all over the pitch, from Hampton in goal, Stanway in midfield, to Russo leading the line.

The first time England have won in France in 51 years!

FULL TIME! France 1-2 England

21:57 , Jamie Braidwood

The Lionesses hold on! A HUGE win over France in Saint-Etienne!

France 1-2 England

21:55 , Jamie Braidwood

90+4 mins: Williamson thrashes a clearance into touch... England are almost there.

Interception from Walsh... she crosses to Kirby and Renard can only clear for the corner!

England will love that.

France 1-2 England

21:54 , Jamie Braidwood

90+3 mins: Almost a chance for Kirby as the ball breaks to the substitute, but she heads for the corner.

France win it back, and they will have one last chance to throw it forwards....

France 1-2 England

21:53 , Jamie Braidwood

90+2 mins: There’s going to be more than five minutes though as Bacha has picked up a painful knock to her knee after a challenge with Kelly.

France have rushed Bacha off.

France 1-2 England

21:51 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: FIVE MINUTES added on! Fran Kirby replaces Toone.

France 1-2 England

21:50 , Jamie Braidwood

89 mins: WHAT A SAVE! Hannah Hampton! WOW! France looked certain to equalise, but the goalkeeper tips Katoto’s prodded shot wide!

France were able to counter far too easily again, but Hampton was there after Katoto beat Williamson to the cross! Some save!

France 1-2 England

21:49 , Jamie Braidwood

88 mins: Cascarino takes flight and suddenly England have everyone forward! The ball into the box is cut out by Bronze, who keepsher position brilliantly.

England then clear, but the pressure comes straight back!

France 1-2 England

21:47 , Jamie Braidwood

87 mins: Boos from the French crowd as Kelly is booked for wasting time over a throw-in. England have used these dark arts before...

France 1-2 England

21:46 , Jamie Braidwood

85 mins: Great block from Chloe Kelly as France swept forward! The winger throwing herself at the ball as Cascarino looked to strike.

Russo then does brilliantly to drag England up the pitch, holding the ball up and winning a throw-in.

France 1-2 England

21:45 , Jamie Braidwood

83 mins: England keep the clock ticking down.... Wiegman has only made one change, after not making any changes from her line-up before kick-off. England could be feeling this late on.

France 1-2 England

21:42 , Jamie Braidwood

80 mins: CLOSE! Oh that was not far away at all from Cascarino, after taking on an ambitious shot from a very tight angle. Carter did well to force her wide.

Hampton is booked for wasting time over the goal-kick.

France 1-2 England

21:40 , Jamie Braidwood

79 mins: Bacha is booked for pulling back Bronze down the right - which rules the left back out of France’s next game against Sweden. That could be a huge game if France can’t find an equaliser.

France 1-2 England

21:39 , Jamie Braidwood

77 mins: A half-chance for Stanway as the ball breaks on the edge and sets up the sight of goal. The volley dips just wide of the far post.

France have space to attack into but Carter stands firm on the edge of the box. England just need to slow this down.

France 1-2 England

21:36 , Jamie Braidwood

75 mins: Wiegman reacts with England’s first chance: Chloe Kelly replaces Mead in a straight-swap on the wing.

GOAL! France 1-2 England (Diani 72’)

21:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Kadidiatou Diani sends Hampton the wrong way and France are back in it!

It was a gift from the Lionesses.

They have a long 20 minutes to get through now.

PENALTY! France 0-2 England

21:30 , Jamie Braidwood

France have a penalty as Geyoro is caught by Williamson in the box!

That was sloppy by England - Toone was caught on the ball by France’s midfield. Toone is booked protesting, and then Bronze is booked trying to delay the penalty.

Over to you Hannah Hampton.

France 0-2 England

21:30 , Jamie Braidwood

68 mins: Starting to get a bit nervy for England now... A Geyoro drive looked to be troubling Hampton before Bronze stuck a leg out, sending the ball spinning over the bar.

England then clear the corner. Renard stays up and England are able to deal with the direct ball up to the captain.

France 0-2 England

21:26 , Jamie Braidwood

65 mins: SAVE! Almost stunning from Toone! She robs possession in the final third after intercepting the ball, and then immediately looks for the chip. Peyrayd-Magnin can scramble back to save, though.

France 0-2 England

21:25 , Jamie Braidwood

63 mins: Hampton’s back on her feet. I’m not accusing anyone of anything, but I think that delay might have allowed Wiegman a chance to speak to a couple of her players...

France 0-2 England

21:23 , Jamie Braidwood

62 mins: A worry for England, potentially, as Hampton goes down following a goal kick. With Mary Earps out, this could be a concern.

France 0-2 England

21:21 , Jamie Braidwood

59 mins: England have reacted well and seem to have slowed France down in the last five minutes or so. Stanway drives forward to win a corner, which England take short. Bronze picks out Stanway on the edge of the box, but it’s blazed over.

France 0-2 England

21:16 , Jamie Braidwood

55 mins: CHANCE! Better again from France. Bacha leads the break and Katoto beats Williamson with a smart feint and turn in the box. Katoto fluffs the shot, though, as England clear.

The Lionesses are going to have to soak up some pressure, though.

France 0-2 England

21:14 , Jamie Braidwood

53 mins: The changes have worked for France, with Bacha now enjoying more of the ball. The left-back unleashes a strike from a long way out and catches it well. Thankfully for England, it drifts wide.

France 0-2 England

21:12 , Jamie Braidwood

50 mins: Hannah Hampton, who is in for the injured Mary Earps, hasn’t seen too much of the ball but has to be quick off her line to beat Katoto to the through ball.

The goalkeeper has been calm on the ball, though, after an impressive season with Chelsea.

France 0-2 England

21:09 , Jamie Braidwood

47 mins: An early chance for France as Bacha gets down the left wing and finds Katoto. The striker, who was quiet in the first half, can’t kepe her header down.

France 0-2 England

21:06 , Jamie Braidwood

The players are back out in St Etienne. Cascarino, the Lyon winger, is one of two France changes - Toletti has also replaced Henry.

No changes for England, who were excellent.

HALF TIME! France 0-2 England

20:51 , Jamie Braidwood

A superb first half for England. The Lionesses lead France 2-0 at the break, thanks to a sublime hit from Stanway and an excellent header from Russo, who has been outstanding leading the line.

France 0-2 England

20:49 , Jamie Braidwood

45+2 mins: Stanway slides in and gives away a free-kick in midfield, which gives the towering France captain Renard the chance to get forward. Renard wins the header, but England are able to scramble clear!

France 0-2 England

20:46 , Jamie Braidwood

45 mins: We’ll have four minutes added on. Russo almost broke in behind again, while France are showing some signs of life before the break. It’s very open, still.

France 0-2 England

20:43 , Jamie Braidwood

42 mins: From an England corner the ball almost drops to Bright in the box - that could have been three.

France haven’t lost at home since the 2019 World Cup. England are dominating this.

France 0-2 England

20:42 , Jamie Braidwood

40 mins: France are shell-shocked. Russo beats Lakrar AGAIN and almost finds Hemp with a cross, the ball just running away from the winger.

Lakrar is not going to want to see Alessia Russo again after this first half.

GOAL! France 0-2 England (RUSSO 34’)

20:39 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s a great cross from Hemp and brilliant forward play from Russo.

Interesting that the Lionesses are grabbing the ball from the net... they want GOALS in this qualifying group.

GOAL! France 0-2 England (RUSSO 34’)

20:35 , Jamie Braidwood

JUST WHAT ENGLAND AND RUSSO DESERVED!

The Lionesses doubled their lead after a brilliant spell! France are stunned! They’ve been dominated at home!

Hemp and Mead had just switched wings a couple of minutes ago. Hemp sets the ball onto her left and swings in a stunning cross, which beats Lakrar.

Russo peels off the back and powers the header down and in! How about this?!

France 0-1 England

20:34 , Jamie Braidwood

31 mins: This has been a brilliant first half from Russo, who is bullying the France defender Lakrar. Russo turn Lakrar and bursts into the box, before France can recover.

Moments later, Mead bursts forward and puts in a ball that narrowly evades Russo and almost falls to Hemp.

France 0-1 England

20:31 , Jamie Braidwood

29 mins: CHANCE! Ooooh it should be two! What a move from England, with Bright picking out Bronze down the right, great run and better pass.

Bronze knocks it across and it lands to Russo at the back post. The striker stoops but can’t direct it back across goal with enough power.

Peyraud-Magnin keeps it out.

France 0-1 England

20:30 , Jamie Braidwood

26 mins: That will settle England down, but they had started to do just that in truth before that Stanway strike. They took the lead on Friday, however, only for France to come from behind, so the Lionesses will need to keep up this intensity they’ve started to build.

Mead slips Stanway in after good build-up play from Russo. Renard gets the block in.

GOAL! France 0-1 England (STANWAY 22’)

20:26 , Jamie Braidwood

Sweet as you like from Stanway. What a way for England to take the lead.

GOAL! France 0-1 England (STANWAY 22’)

20:22 , Jamie Braidwood

ROCKET FROM STANWAY!

Whooosh! What a goal from the Bayern midfielder! Similar to her strike against Spain in the Euros quarter-final. It’s brilliant work first of all from Hemp, barging her opponent aside to lay the ball back to Stanway on the edge of the box. Stanway lets it come across her body and then unleashes a stunning strike, rising into the corner and leaving the France goalkeeper with no chance!

France 0-0 England

20:22 , Jamie Braidwood

21 mins: SAVE! Great play from England. Russo holds up the ball on the halfway line and then Toone releases Mead with a lovely pass. Mead drives forward but her shot is saved from the angle.

France 0-0 England

20:20 , Jamie Braidwood

19 mins: Ah, frustrating for England as the Lionesses aren’t able to work the ball into the box: Mead’s pass was cut out as she looked for Toone, and then Walsh found a dead-end too.

The Lionesses have had the better of the past 10 minutes, though. France probably edged the first spell.

France 0-0 England

20:18 , Jamie Braidwood

17 mins: CHANCE! Great play from England down the right, with Mead getting beyond Bronze and wasting no time to flash a cross into the box.

Russo was on the move and got to the front post, but the striker couldn’t direct her effort onto goal.

France 0-0 England

20:16 , Jamie Braidwood

14 mins: A really scrappy spell as England can’t keep the ball in midfield and France can’t do anything with it. This is not the assertive start Wiegman would have wanted after keeping the same team from Friday.

France 0-0 England

20:13 , Jamie Braidwood

11 mins: England look quite easy to cut through early on, which is presenting Geyoro with space to drive into when France can win the ball back. Diani looked to be through but couldn’t stay onside and Geyoro could not find the pass.

France 0-0 England

20:10 , Jamie Braidwood

9 mins: Williamson is back on her feet. It was just a graze on her knee I think after Diani’s studs caught her, rather than anything more serious.

France 0-0 England

20:08 , Jamie Braidwood

7 mins: CHANCE! End-to-end! A chance for France straight away, as the hosts fly down the left. The ball is put across the face by Karchaoui down the left - Diani is stretching but can’t make contact with Williamson sliding in.

The England captain has picked up a cut to her knee and has stayed down.

France 0-0 England

20:07 , Jamie Braidwood

6 mins: CHANCE! First opportunity goes England way, and Ella Toone should do better! It’s a lovely run from the midfielder, cutting into the box. But her touch takes her close to the defender and then Toone doesn’t make a good enough connection. It dribbles wide.

France 0-0 England

20:06 , Jamie Braidwood

5 mins: England then drop off as France take control of possession on halfway. Diani looks to sprint behind Carter but De Almedia’s pass is overhit. It should be another busy night for Carter up against the Lyon star.

France 0-0 England

20:04 , Jamie Braidwood

2 mins: England are looking to make an aggressive start. Henry won possession back in midfield and there was suddenly a lot of space for Geyoro to drive into it. The Lionesses were able to recover.

There were then space for Hemp in behind but De Almedia cut off the ball well.

KICK-OFF! France 0-0 England

20:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Underway!

France vs England LIVE: Kick-off next!

19:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Here we go. Always love La Marseillaise.

But it’s been a long time since France lost at home. Can England claim a huge win tonight?

France’s manager from the 1998 World Cup, Aimé Jacquet, makes the ceremonial kick-off.

He played for St Etienne.

France vs England LIVE: Kick-off next!

19:54 , Jamie Braidwood

The players are out at a packed Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in St Etienne. Time for the anthems.

I think the crowd in Newcastle on Friday was much bigger than it is here in the south of France.

France vs England: Form Guide

19:50 , Jamie Braidwood

England have been on mixed form since losing the World Cup final in August 2023. The Lionesses won two easy friendlies against Austria and Italy 7-2 and 5-1 respectively, before toiling to a 1-1 draw against Sweden in the opening game of the European qualification campaign.

Sarina Weigman’s side then beat the Republic of Ireland 2-0 before falling to a 2-1 loss against France last week.

Conversely, France have had mostly positive results in their last few games, beating Germany 2-1 in the Nations League before losing 2-0 to world champions Spain in the competition’s first ever final.

Since then, Les Bleues have three wins on the bounce, having beaten the Republic of Ireland and Sweden 1-0 before last week’s game against England.

France vs England: Sweden complete double over Ireland

19:45 , Jamie Braidwood

In the other game in Group A3, Sweden have beaten the Republic of Ireland at home to move three points clear of England, having played a game more.

If France win, they will be through to the Euros with two games to spare. If England lose, it means the Lionesses will need to beat Ireland and Sweden next month, while hoping Sweden drop points in their other fixture against France.

It’s really must-win for the Lionesses...

France vs England: Head-to-head

19:40 , Jamie Braidwood

England have a mixed recent record against Les Bleues, having won just two of the last five meetings between the two sides.

In addition to last week’s loss, England lost 1-0 and 3-1 in two friendlies in 2021 and 2017 respectively.

Nevertheless, England won 1-0 in their last meeting in tournament football, during the 2017 European Championship.

The Lionesses also ran out 4-1 winners in the SheBelieves Cup in 2018.

France vs England: Sarina Wiegman speaks pre-match

19:30 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s safe to say Sarina Wiegman’s decision to name an unchanged outfield team from the 2-1 defeat to France hasn’t gone down well with everyone...

Here’s the England manager, speaking to ITV: “Everyone is fit to play and I think this is the team to start.

“As I said on Friday, I don’t think we played badly. We can do some things better in the final third. We decided to keep with the same players.

“If I see what we did on Friday, we know what we have to do better. We have had some good sessions. Yes, I’m confident. Let’s see what we do on the pitch.”

How does Euro 2025 qualifying work? League format and play-off rounds explained

19:20 , Chris Wilson

If all the talk about ‘failing to qualify’ is a little confusing, you can find the explanation below.

In short, England will fail to qualify automatically if they finish third or fourth in their group, but with a play-off system involving teams in other groups, the Lionesses would still be expected to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Switzerland.

Find out all you need to know about the qualification format below.

How does Euro 2025 qualifying work? League format and play-off rounds explained

France vs England: Home team line-up

19:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Here’s the France side to face England:

The visitors make a couple of changes: the experienced Amandine Henry returns to midfielder and replaces Sandie Toletti. The lively Lyon winger Cascarino also drops out and the PSG midfielder Grace Geyoro comes in.

France XI: Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Lakrar, Renard, Bacha; Henry, Geyoro, Dali; Dinai, Katoto, Karchaoui

Ella Toone details key to England bouncing back from painful France loss

19:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Along with Wingman’s comments, Ella Toone has backed England’s big tournament mentality to dig them out of a Euro 2025 qualification hole.

The defending champions head for the reverse fixture in Saint-Etienne tonight confident they can get themselves back on track in tough away fixtures against the French and the Swedes either side of a home clash with Ireland.

Midfielder Toone said: “As England, we want to win every game that we step into. We know that we’ve got a great team, a great manager and we want to go to the Euros, obviously.

“We won the last one, we want to go there and do the same thing, so right now it hurts a little bit.

“we’ve got a squad full of experience and we know what it’s like. We knew this group was really tough, so we can’t dwell on these results, this result tonight, we can’t dwell on it.

“We’ve got to go again in a few days, so as a team, we’ve got to make sure that we switch our mindset, we recover really well and we learn from the game.”

Ella Toone details key to England bouncing back from painful France loss

France vs England: Ella Toone reaches 50 caps

18:54 , Jamie Braidwood

A 50th cap for Ella Toone tonight. She’s only 24!

France vs England: Team news

18:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Sarina Wiegman makes just the one change from the side that started the 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park, and that’s the enforced one with Hannah Hampton replacing the injured Mary Earps.

Apart from that, it’s as you were for the Lionesses. Leah Williamson skippers the side and stays in the back-four, with Millie Bright at centre-back and Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter full-back.

Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway remain the pivot in midfield, with Ella Toone higher up. Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp are the wingers, with Alessia Russo leading the line once more.

France vs England: CONFIRMED LINE-UP

18:46 , Jamie Braidwood

England team to face France:

Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Carter; Walsh, Toone, Stanway; Mead, Russo, Hemp

France vs England: Latest build-up

18:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Or in 15 seconds...

France vs England: Latest build-up

18:45 , Jamie Braidwood

The Lionesses have arrived at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard as they get familar with the pitch ahead of kick-off.

We’ll have the team news in around 15 minutes.

England boss Sarina Wiegman issues challenge to Lionesses after loss to France

18:35 , Chris Wilson

And after that bruising defeat, Sarina Wiegman has challenged England to turn the tables on France to kick-start their Euro 2025 qualification campaign.

Wiegman’s side have now taken just four points from their first three qualifiers and trail Group A3 leaders France by five points and Sweden on goal difference.

She said: “Of course, we first wanted to be first in the group, but that’s a little further away now. We’ll go through the game tomorrow and then we have the game on Tuesday.

“From what we showed today, I think we can win that game. If you see, we had more possession, more shots on goal – all we wanted more on target – so we go out there to win that game and from there, we will see.”

England boss Sarina Wiegman issues challenge to Lionesses after loss to France

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

18:20 , Chris Wilson

England need a positive result tonight if they want to secure automatic qualification for Euro 2025, after France came back from behind to beat the Lionesses 2-1 at St. James’ Park last week.

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, and Paris St-Germain striker Marie Antoinette Katoto secured the 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 than 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

France vs England: Latest build-up

18:08 , Chris Wilson

Predicted line-up

Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Carter, Walsh, Toone, Stanway, Kelly, Russo, Hemp.

Mary Earps forced out of England squad through injury

18:00 , Chris Wilson

Mary Earps is the latest high-profile injury for the Lionesses, after Lauren James was ruled out of both games against France just before last Friday’s match.

Earps withdrew from England’s squad to face France on Tuesday with a minor hip injury, which she sustained during Friday’s Euro 2025 qualifying defeat to Les Bleues.

The 31-year-old was forced off at St James’ Park just seven minutes into her 50th Lionesses appearance and left the stadium on crutches.

What is the England team news?

17:50 , Chris Wilson

Hannah Hampton will start in goal following Mary Earps’ early injury and there were further withdrawals from the original squad by Niamh Charles and Lotte Wubben-Moy before that first match, as well as Lauren James. While there are no further new injury issues reported, Sarina Wiegman could shuffle the pack after the disappointing defeat on home soil, with Chloe Kelly and Alex Greenwood candidates to start.

When is France vs England?

17:40 , Chris Wilson

The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 4 June, and it’ll be shown live on ITV 4 and ITV X, with coverage getting underway from 7:15pm.

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.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Good afternoon

17:30 , Jamie Braidwood

England travel to southern France tonight hoping to earn a vital win in their campaign to qualify for Euro 2025. The Lionesses sit third in Group A3, level on points with Sweden, who they drew to in their opening game, and above the Republic of Ireland, who they beat 2-0 in their second group match.

Last Friday, Sarina Weigman’s side lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park, when a spirited France side led by Marie Antoinette Katoto came back from behind to snatch a winner and go top of the group.

This leaves England with work to do to ensure automatic qualification. In the new format, only the top two sides from each group qualify automatically, with the third and fourth-placed teams from each ‘A’ group entering play-offs against teams from the B and C groups.

Follow all the build-up and action in tonight’s live blog