Published 04 June 2024 3 min read
England Women's Senior Team
Wiegman: 'One of the best halves we have ever played'
The England manager assesses her team's victory over France in EURO 2025 qualifying
MATCH REPORT: FRANCE v ENGLAND
Sarina Wiegman is relishing England’s involvement in the conclusion of an open EURO 2025 qualifying group, after leading the Lionesses to a memorable 2-1 win over France.
First-half goals from Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo put Wiegman’s team in the driving seat in Saint Etienne, before they saw off a second-half French fightback to earn the points.
The result means England go into the final pair of qualifying fixtures in July with qualification in their own hands ahead of a home clash with Ireland and a trip to Sweden.
And Wiegman is up for the challenge, after seeing her team respond from their defeat against France in Newcastle last week.
First-half goals from Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo put Wiegman’s team in the driving seat in Saint Etienne, before they saw off a second-half French fightback to earn the points.
The result means England go into the final pair of qualifying fixtures in July with qualification in their own hands ahead of a home clash with Ireland and a trip to Sweden.
And Wiegman is up for the challenge, after seeing her team respond from their defeat against France in Newcastle last week.
“Of course, it [the win] gives us a boost,” said Wiegman after the game.
“We want to win and we are in a better position now and the group is totally open.
“We said from the beginning this is a very tough group, with top, top level teams and this is exactly what you see with Sweden also and Ireland, who are very hard to beat.
“Most of all, we did better than Friday when we played parts of the game well but in their final third and our final third with corners we didn’t do well.
“I think the first half is one of the best halves we have ever played but the team effort pleased me most tonight.
“Of course, the second half is going to be different because you are 2-0 up and they are going to push but we worked so hard to stay together, to keep the win and more things gave me joy tonight.”
“We want to win and we are in a better position now and the group is totally open.
“We said from the beginning this is a very tough group, with top, top level teams and this is exactly what you see with Sweden also and Ireland, who are very hard to beat.
“Most of all, we did better than Friday when we played parts of the game well but in their final third and our final third with corners we didn’t do well.
“I think the first half is one of the best halves we have ever played but the team effort pleased me most tonight.
“Of course, the second half is going to be different because you are 2-0 up and they are going to push but we worked so hard to stay together, to keep the win and more things gave me joy tonight.”