Arsenal’s striker Michelle Agyemang looks dejected after England lose 2-1 against France in their UEFA Women’s Euros opener [Pedro Porru/SheKicks/SPP]

UEFA Women’s Euros: Group D

FRANCE 2 (Katoto 36, Baltimore 39)
ENGLAND 1 (Walsh, 87)

A BIG game just got bigger. That was the verdict of Arsenal fans’ favourite Beth Mead as defending European champions England looked ahead to Wednesday’s clash with the Netherlands.

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses left themselves with a mountain to climb in Switzerland after a calamitous EURO 2025 opening loss to France in front of almost 23,000 fans this evening (Saturday).

Scoring within three minutes of one another, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore set France on the road to a 2-1 victory, with Keira Walsh’s goal at the death proving mere consolation for the defending champions.

To keep their chances alive, England now need to outplay a Netherlands side that overcame debutants Wales 3-0 in their opener, a victory that saw former Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema net her 100th goal for her country.

Speaking to the media on Saturday night, Mead was pragmatic as she looked ahead to facing the Dutch in the aftermath of defeat. “It was a big game as it was, but now it’s an even bigger game for us,” she said. “It’s a must win.”

England dominated France in the opening minutes on a roasting night in Zurich, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Arsenal’s Alessia Russo both carving out chances from the off.

And the raucous French fans that packed into the stands behind former Gunner Pauline Peyraud-Magnin’s goal were silenced on the 15 minute mark when Russo slotted home Lauren Hemp’s parried shot after a move created by James and her attacking prowess.

But the French fans were not silenced for long, the goal ruled out for the tightest of offsides following a VAR review.

England edged possession in the aftermath, but it was only France who carved out chances that really mattered.

The Lionesses’ ponderous use of the ball continued in the second half and it was not until the arrival of Arsenal’s teenage striker Michelle Agyemang in the dying minutes that the fire seemed to return to their bellies.

Walsh’s goal in the 87th minute set up a thrilling conclusion to the match and while Agyemang gave the French defence pause for thought with her movement and presence, it was too little too late.

“We had a little bit more bite about us,” reflected Mead on England’s late resurgence. “We have to do that from minute one to minute 90 now.”

Catherine Etoe reporting from Zurich