England's Euro 2025 campaign began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to France, exposing a fundamental flaw within the Lionesses' squad. Despite entering the tournament as defending champions, England struggled to contain a dynamic French side, ultimately paying the price for defensive vulnerabilities. The loss has put England in a precarious position in a challenging group, requiring them to beat the Netherlands to keep their hopes of retaining the trophy alive.

France exploited England's weaknesses with blistering pace and clinical finishing. Marie-Antoinette Katoto, fresh off a move to Lyon, opened the scoring after a slick French move that saw Elisa De Almeida win the ball high up the pitch and slip Delphine Cascarino in behind. Cascarino's low cross was inch-perfect, leaving Katoto with an easy finish at the back post.

England barely had time to recover before France struck again. This time, they capitalized on a loose pass, finding Sandy Baltimore, who drove forward, weaved through a pair of defenders, and fired a powerful shot past Hannah Hampton. The two goals within a short space of time highlighted England's defensive disarray and inability to cope with France's attacking threat.

While England rallied late in the game, their comeback attempt fell short. A half-cleared corner found Keira Walsh on the edge of the box, who bent a stunning strike into the top corner. However, France managed to hold on through a nervy closing spell, securing a crucial victory.

Several factors contributed to England's defeat. The absence of key players, potentially including Leah Williamson, through injury or other reasons has undoubtedly impacted the team's stability and experience. The Lionesses appeared vulnerable defensively, struggling to contain the French attack. France repeatedly ripped open England's defense, exposing a lack of cohesion and communication. England's midfield was often overrun, failing to provide adequate protection to the backline.

Sarina Wiegman's side selection and tactical approach may also come under scrutiny. The team looked disjointed, and the players struggled to execute the game plan effectively. The Lionesses must regroup quickly and address their shortcomings if they are to progress in the tournament. The margin for error is minimal in a group that also includes the Netherlands and Wales. England needs to find solutions to their defensive woes and rediscover their attacking spark to secure the victories necessary to advance.

The defeat serves as a wake-up call for England, highlighting the need for improvement across the board. They must learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in their remaining group games. The Lionesses have the talent and experience to turn things around, but they need to show resilience and determination to overcome this setback. The road to retaining their European title has become significantly more challenging, but not impossible.