'Unnecessary' defeat leaves England with Euro qualifying task

England's 2-1 conclusion by France successful Newcastle has near them pinch immoderate catching up to do if they want to unafraid qualification for adjacent summer's Euros.

They way leaders France by 5 points successful Group A3 having mislaid 1 and drawn 1 successful their 2 location games truthful far.

Aside from a regular triumph complete nan Republic of Ireland successful Dublin, it has been a difficult qualifying run for nan European champions, albeit against reliable opposition.

It does not get immoderate easier for Sarina Wiegman's broadside arsenic they recreation to Saint-Etienne for a 2nd gathering pinch France connected Tuesday.

"We person to triumph retired successful France if we want to beryllium successful a bully position successful July," Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Today we wanted to spell and triumph and astir of nan clip we played well. As a squad and successful defence, we did beautiful good.

"We're very disappointed now, that is very clear because really we each consciousness it was very unnecessary - but past we'll move onto Tuesday."

Wiegman believes England's capacity was amended than nan level they showed against Sweden and nan Republic of Ireland.

But they were still acold from convincing.

With some Millie Bright and Leah Williamson disposable to play together for nan first clip since February 2023, Wiegman opted for them arsenic a centre-back pairing, leaving in-form Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood connected nan bench.

Bright's deficiency of lucifer sharpness was evident arsenic France's pacy forwards threatened, while England's backline were undone by 2 set-pieces connected nan night.

Their concerns were made worse done an early wounded to goalkeeper Mary Earps - forced disconnected pinch a hep problem minutes into her 50th quality for England.

The Lionesses took nan lead done Beth Mead but France responded good and were rewarded erstwhile volleys from Elisa de Almeida and Marie-Antoinette Katoto hit substitute goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

"It is very disappointing. We should person won nan game," added Wiegman.

"No matter really bully nan goals were, you person a chance to extremity it. The first 1 was awesome and truthful was nan second. We decidedly request to tighten up connected 2nd balls."

Wiegman was asked astir her determination to time off retired Greenwood, peculiarly pinch 4 right-footed defenders starting.

"Of people it’s perfect to person a left-footer too, Millie [Bright] tin play pinch her near ft connected nan correct side, Leah [Williamson] is beautiful comfortable connected nan near side," said Wiegman.

"That was besides a information for this game. Alex is simply a bully defender, she has done very good complete nan past period.

"Today, I chose Millie and Leah. That defence, I thought we needed successful nan centre because of nan qualities of France. They’re very pacy, very powerful. I deliberation that was nan correct decision."

It was Wiegman's 50th lucifer successful complaint and she said it was "a very unnecessary loss" but maintained her belief that England played good for astir of nan game.

However, mobility marks are increasing astatine nan deficiency of rotation wrong nan starting XI.

Despite calling up respective caller players successful caller months, including Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton, Manchester City's Jess Park and Chelsea's Aggie Beever-Jones, Wiegman named a broadside against France that consisted of 8 of nan 11 starters from Euro 2022.

Asked whether Wiegman believed she needed to operation it up more, she said: "I deliberation if you look astatine nan past camp, we person played galore players and person brought successful galore players.

"We’re trying to get players person to much minutes. With nan method unit and I, we decided earlier nan crippled connected this."

She waited until nan 79th infinitesimal to bring connected midfielder Fran Kirby and guardant Chloe Kelly but Wiegman says it is because she did not want to alteration nan dynamic.

With England controlling much possession (58%) and having much shots connected extremity (12) than France's seven, nan statistic propose her broadside were connected top.

But England lacked strength and gave nan shot distant sloppily.

"I took truthful agelong [to make changes] because I thought we played well," said Wiegman.

"If you bring different players in, past nan dynamics alteration - which sometimes we want because you want caller energy. But I still thought we did well.

"Then we conceded and we had a chat astir what benignant of midfield we wanted to get a small different players. That’s why we waited a small longer."

Wiegman was bullish successful her responses, appearing calm and assured of her decisions but she knows England cannot spend to slip-up successful France and autumn further down successful their qualifying campaign.