France are on a high after beating England and Wales, but there is no room for letting up. Coach Laurent Bonadei made big calls ahead of the tournament, leaving out icons Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, and he has so far been vindicated.

The defending champions begin their Euro 2025 campaign against fellow-heavyweights France in a blockbuster Group D clash. Both sides' lead-up to the tournament has been far from smooth. England were rocked by the double-blow of Mary Earps' retirement and Millie Bright's decision to pull out of selection.

The Lionesses, however, thought they had taken the lead inside 16 minutes at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, only for Alessia Russo’s goal to be disallowed for a marginal offside ruling on Beth Mead. It was a decision England’s head coach described as a “huge surprise” — so what exactly happened, and why didn’t the goal stand?

England's defence of their European title got off to a damaging start with defeat by France in their heavyweight group-stage clash in Zurich.

ZURICH (AP) — England has never lost its first two matches at the Women’s European Championship. If that changes on Wednesday, the defending champion could very well be out of Euro 2025.

England's bid to retain their European crown began on the back foot, suffering a 2-1 loss to France in a heavyweight group-stage encounter in Zurich.Coming into the match, all eyes were on Sarina

France begins its campaign in Group D against the reigning champions, England. France: Peyraud-Magnin, De Almeida, Lakrar, Sombath, Bacha, Jean-Francois, Geyoro, Karchaoui, Cascarino, Baltimore, Katoto. England: Hampton; Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Williamson, James, Stanway, Mead, Hemp, Carter, Russo.