Article Written By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated 

GALLEN, SWITZERLAND(SMI-GLOBAL-WOMEN-SPORTS-JULY 02-27, 2025)-FIFA-ranked #10, France Women's national team defeats 2022 UEFA Euro defending champions England 2-1, with strikers Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scoring two goals in the first half to claim its 3-points in Group D, in UEFA Women's EURO 2025 at Stadion Letzigrund, in Zurich, Switzerland.

The English and French split the game-stats with England registering 58% to 42% in possession and 81% to 76% in pass accuracy while France outperformed 14-12 shots on goal and 6-2, on shots on target.

The Lionesses on its first major counter-attack scored through Alessia Russo but it was nulled after the referee reviewed through the VAR that forward Beth Mead was on
off-side position for the game to remain scoreless at 16' mark.

France opened the score first through forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto to put the French 1-0, at 36' mark. Defender Elisa De Almeida on fast-break passed the ball into the 18' to striker Delphine Cascarino who immediately crossed the ball inside the 6-yard box to Katoto who scored with a right-footed into back of the net.

Les Bleues (The Blues) kept the pressure and 3' minute later striker Sandy Baltimore increased the lead of 2-0, and secure the victory of 2-1, over England at 39' mark.

French's defender Maelle Lakrar passed the ball to left-side field corner to striker Sandy Baltimore and who in a personal play evaded two defenders and scored with a right-footed to the upper-right goalpost corner to sealed the win for the French.

With 4' minute remaining in the game, England's midfielder Keira Walsh discounted 
for the 2-1, at 86' mark and closed-out the game 2-1, in favor of France.