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Preview: England’s Lionesses start Euros defence against France

Preview: England’s Lionesses start Euros defence against France

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England and France will be the last two teams to get their Euro 2025 campaign underway, meeting in Group D in Zurich on Saturday night. For the Lionesses, the defence of their 2022 title starts here.

By Jamie Spencer

What’s at Stake?

This is the toughest test either will likely face in the group stage – a Netherlands side past their Sarina Wiegman-era vintage and first-time qualifiers Wales complete the quartet – and it is first up.

There is an element of getting the ‘big one’ out of the way and then building into the tournament, but this game is equally an opportunity for either England or France to lay down an early marker against a fellow contender. Winning here puts top spot in the final group standings and, theoretically, a more favourable quarter-final much more within reach.

Head-to-Head

France hold historic bragging rights in this international rivalry. In 27 past meetings, it’s 13 French victories, nine draws and only five England wins.

England’s Euro 2017 quarter-final triumph was a first win against France since 1974, 19 games. In qualifying for these Euros, France also ended England’s 22-year unbeaten record in major tournament qualifiers. But England claimed revenge by winning in Saint-Etienne four days later.

Recent Form

In 2025, England have had the highs of beating Spain and enjoying thumping wins over Belgium and Portugal. But they’ve also lost against Belgium and drawn with Portugal, while suffering the pain of losing a lead in a tight defeat to Spain just a month ago. The Lionesses signed off before heading to Switzerland with a 7-0 warm-up friendly win over Jamaica.

France, meanwhile, are in red hot form. It’s eight wins from eight so far in 2025, including warm-up victories against Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2) in late June.

Key Players

Alessia Russo was an impact sub for England at Euro 2022. She’s now 26, the reigning FWA Footballer of the Year, scored a career best 20 goals in all competitions for Arsenal in 2024/25 and won the Champions League. This is her time to shine.

Russo’s season summary with Arsenal

Plenty of eyes will be on Hannah Hampton in goal too. The Chelsea stopper had established herself as England’s preferred starter months before Mary Earps conveyed her international retirement, but the shock of that announcement has served to put a brighter spotlight on the new No.1.

Chelsea winger Sandy Baltimore enjoyed an excellent debut season in English football in 2024/25 and has been consistently performing for France too. More than half (5) of her nine international goals have come in the last six months alone.

Team News

All 23 England players trained on Friday. But just how match fit is Lauren James? The Chelsea attacker played just under half an hour against Jamaica for her first appearance in more than two months.

There’s a strong chance that the XI named against Jamaica will start against France too, but the likes of James, Grace Clinton, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones offer plenty from the bench.

For France, there was genuine shock when Laurent Bonadei didn’t select legend Wendie Renard, 34, for this tournament, while all-time record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer, 36, also missed the cut. Griedge Mbock Bathy fills Lyon teammate Renard’s shoes as captain, but the centre-back has been nursing a calf injury in the days leading up to the first game.

Prediction

Winning would obviously be a huge statement for either side, but not losing early ground feels more important and there might not be anything to separate them: France 1-1 England.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: England’s Lionesses start Euros defence against France

England and France will be the last two teams to get their Euro 2025 campaign underway, meeting in Group D in Zurich on Saturday night. For the Lionesses, the defence of their 2022 title starts here.

By Jamie Spencer

What’s at Stake?

This is the toughest test either will likely face in the group stage – a Netherlands side past their Sarina Wiegman-era vintage and first-time qualifiers Wales complete the quartet – and it is first up.

There is an element of getting the ‘big one’ out of the way and then building into the tournament, but this game is equally an opportunity for either England or France to lay down an early marker against a fellow contender. Winning here puts top spot in the final group standings and, theoretically, a more favourable quarter-final much more within reach.

Head-to-Head

France hold historic bragging rights in this international rivalry. In 27 past meetings, it’s 13 French victories, nine draws and only five England wins.

England’s Euro 2017 quarter-final triumph was a first win against France since 1974, 19 games. In qualifying for these Euros, France also ended England’s 22-year unbeaten record in major tournament qualifiers. But England claimed revenge by winning in Saint-Etienne four days later.

Recent Form

In 2025, England have had the highs of beating Spain and enjoying thumping wins over Belgium and Portugal. But they’ve also lost against Belgium and drawn with Portugal, while suffering the pain of losing a lead in a tight defeat to Spain just a month ago. The Lionesses signed off before heading to Switzerland with a 7-0 warm-up friendly win over Jamaica.

France, meanwhile, are in red hot form. It’s eight wins from eight so far in 2025, including warm-up victories against Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2) in late June.

Key Players

Alessia Russo was an impact sub for England at Euro 2022. She’s now 26, the reigning FWA Footballer of the Year, scored a career best 20 goals in all competitions for Arsenal in 2024/25 and won the Champions League. This is her time to shine.

Russo’s season summary with Arsenal

Plenty of eyes will be on Hannah Hampton in goal too. The Chelsea stopper had established herself as England’s preferred starter months before Mary Earps conveyed her international retirement, but the shock of that announcement has served to put a brighter spotlight on the new No.1.

Chelsea winger Sandy Baltimore enjoyed an excellent debut season in English football in 2024/25 and has been consistently performing for France too. More than half (5) of her nine international goals have come in the last six months alone.

Team News

All 23 England players trained on Friday. But just how match fit is Lauren James? The Chelsea attacker played just under half an hour against Jamaica for her first appearance in more than two months.

There’s a strong chance that the XI named against Jamaica will start against France too, but the likes of James, Grace Clinton, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones offer plenty from the bench.

For France, there was genuine shock when Laurent Bonadei didn’t select legend Wendie Renard, 34, for this tournament, while all-time record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer, 36, also missed the cut. Griedge Mbock Bathy fills Lyon teammate Renard’s shoes as captain, but the centre-back has been nursing a calf injury in the days leading up to the first game.

Prediction

Winning would obviously be a huge statement for either side, but not losing early ground feels more important and there might not be anything to separate them: France 1-1 England.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.