By Alan Duffy
England produced a hard-working, defensive display against France on Tuesday evening, but the Lionesses still came away with nothing after losing 1-0, courtesy of a fine strike from Eugenie Le Sommer.
England boss Mark Sampson started with five in midfield, including defender Lucy Bronze in a wide midfield role, leaving Chelsea’s Eni Aluko up front on her own.
While the likes of Gaetane Thiney and superstar Louisa Necib produced some classy touches, England’s solidity nullified much of the French threat.
However, just before the half-hour mark, all that hard work was undone when Le Sommer capitalised on a mix-up outside the England box to fire home superbly from 20 years.
However, despite the impressive strike, goalkeeper Karen Bardsley really should’ve done better, although the French were probably worth the one-goal lead at the break.
In the second-half, England showed a bit more adventure, will Jill Scott mustering her side’s first real shot on 56 minutes.
The introduction of attackers Toni Duggan and Frank Kirby gave Aluko a helping hand up front.
The French were rather lucky not to have Camille Abily sent off for an elbow on Laura Bassett, with the Chelsea defender’s face swelling up after the incident.
However, the French still looked the more likely side to score and ultimately saw out the game to secure their first-ever win (not including penalty shoout-outs) against a European side at a World Cup finals.
As for England, they can be satisfied with the narrow margin of defeat against a side with real aspirations of winning the tournament. Although Sampson will need to send out a far more attacking side against both Mexico and Colombia if his side are to progress to the last 16.
Highlights…
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