Sarina Wiegman facing first crisis as Lionesses limp towards Le Crunch
Qualifying for Euro 2025 is far from straightforward and return game against France on Tuesday takes on greater significance
Disappointment emanated from the Lionesses after Friday’s 2-1 loss to France made the terrain ahead a lot tougher as the defending champions seek a place at Euro 2025. England slipped to third in Group A3 at the midway point of their qualifying campaign, behind France and Sweden, 3-0 victors in the Republic of Ireland.
Tricky away ties against the top two lie ahead, starting with France on Tuesday night in Saint-Étienne. Only the top two qualify automatically for next summer’s tournament in Switzerland, with the playoffs, a scenario England are keen to avoid. They have collected just four points from their first three games and are five adrift of France and level with Sweden, who have a marginally better goal difference.
