Once but not twice. After having succeeded in winning in England (1-2), last Friday in Newcastle, the French team failed to dominate the reigning European champions and vice-world champions for a second time.
In Saint-Etienne, in this Euro 2025 qualifying match, the Blues were unable to do it again. They were clearly dominated in the first period, very little dangerous, and punished with goals from Stanway (21st) and Russo (35th).
At the break, Hervé Renard revised his plans by starting the two players who had left the eleven compared to the last match, Sandie Toletti and Delphine Cascarino. The Blues showed a better face, taking the game in hand (nearly 60% possession in the second period), before being rewarded with a penalty converted by Kadidiatou Diani (75th).
Marie-Antoinette Katoto (89th) had an equalizer but was unable to prevent her team’s defeat. Les Bleues could have validated their qualification for Euro 2025 in the event of a victory, but they still retain the lead in their group, two points ahead of England and Sweden.
