- goal scored by S. Baltimore
- goal scored by V. Asseyi Goal type PEN (PEN)
- goal scored by M. Katoto
- goal scored by F. Kirby Goal type PEN
- goal scored by S. Baltimore
- goal scored by V. Asseyi Goal type Penalty Goal
- goal scored by M. Katoto
-
goal scored by
- F. Kirby Goal type Penalty Goal
Previous encounters
We'll take a look back at some of our meetings with France from down the years, including some classics...
England and France's women have met a total of 23 times over the years, and it's fair to say the record favours our rivals from across the Channel.
From those games, England have only won four games, with two of those victories coming in our first games against them back in the 1970s.
There's been nine draws, but the French have beaten the Lionesses a total of ten times to date.
But our last win was an important one, as it came in the UEFA Women's EURO quarter final of 2017, as Mark Sampson's side progressed through to the last four of the competition thanks to Jodie Taylor's winner.
Below, we take a look back at some of those games....
Our first meeting
France 0-3 England
Friendly
22 April 1973
Brion
Our first ever clash came in the spring of 1973 when England played what was only their second game as a national team. The Lionesses squad made the trip to Brion in north-western France for the game, where Eileen Foreman and a brace from Pat Davies sealed the victory.
The following year, England hosted a return fixture in Wimbledon in November 1974 which resulted in a 2-0 win. Little did we know that it'd be a 43-year wait until we'd enjoy the taste of victory over them again.
A memorable match
France 2-2 England
Friendly
20 October 2012
Paris
There was something of a thriller in the French capital in 2012 when the nations played out an enthralling game in a friendly match as the teams both began their preparations for the UEFA Women's EURO in Sweden the following summer. Hope Powell's team started well too, and found themselves two goals clear at the break following a free-kick from Steph Houghton and a Jill Scott header. But two well-taken goals from Marie Delie in the second half salvaged a draw for the hosts.
Last time out
England 4-1 France
SheBelieves Cup
1 March 2018
Columbus, Ohio
The teams faced off during England's victorious trip to the USA three years ago, when Phil Neville's squad won the SheBelieves Cup. It was this win which got them kick-started too, as Toni Duggan, Jill Scott and Jodie Taylor scored in the first half of what was Neville's first game in charge. Fran Kirby added England's fourth shortly after the break in what was a memorable performance.
International Games
England get the Bleus in Caen
The Lionesses slip to defeat in their international match against France in Normandy
Fran Kirby’s 14th England goal wasn’t enough to steer her country to victory as France prevailed 3-1 in an international friendly in Caen.
The Chelsea striker converted a penalty after superb work from Lauren Hemp to give the Lionesses the chance of a result at the Stade Michel D'Ornano.
France had gone 2-0 up prior to Kirby’s spot-kick, before wrapping up the game in the closing stages against Hege Riise’s side.
Attention now turns to Tuesday, with the Lionesses heading to Stoke City FC to face Canada in the second match of the international break.
As a mark of respect at the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh earlier in the day, black armbands were worn by the England players while a minute’s silence was observed before the match.
Ellen White proudly wore the armband and her side were on the front foot early on, with neat interplay between Kirby and Beth Mead seeing the Arsenal striker sting the home goalkeeper’s palms.
And another good save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin then prevented the on-top Lionesses from taking the lead, with Nikita Parris’ fine drive coming agonisingly close to finding the corner.
The French goalkeeper was on top form but so too was Ellie Roebuck at the other end, needing to get her fingertips to a swerving Sandy Baltimore strike.
White then slid the ball home after yet another superb move involving Mead, Kirby and the Manchester City striker, only for the offside flag to halt her celebrations.
Moments later, France were ahead. The speedy Kadidiatou Diani got in behind the England defence and squared the ball across to Baltimore, who fired into the top corner just after the half-hour.
But England kept pushing, with Kirby firing first-time at the goalkeeper following a ball in from Parris, who herself had a near-post effort kept out.
Half time in a frantic match rapidly approached but both sides still had time for more chances, with Parris only able to nod wide for the Lionesses following an exquisite ball in from Keira Walsh.
Substitute Chloe Kelly, who came on at the break alongside debutant Niamh Charles, then nodded over the bar but Roebuck had to be sharp to deny Marie-Antoinette Katoto with a strong save.
Roebuck then produced another terrific save to tip Diani’s long-range effort onto the bar but she was helpless moments later as France went 2-0 up.
The ball ricocheted off the woodwork and fell into the path of Elisa de Almeida who was fouled by Rachel Daly, leading to a penalty tucked away by Vivianne Asseyi on the hour.
But England found a deserved route back into the game heading into the final 15 minutes, when Hemp turned and was felled in the penalty area.
Kirby’s pressing played a major part in winning the spot-kick, and her all-round performance was rewarded as she converted from 12 yards to set up an exciting last 15 minutes.
France hadn’t conceded in more than 13 hours of football but England's tails were up, with substitute Jordan Nobbs firing at the goalkeeper from range.
Hemp was all energy down the left and she fashioned yet another chance, pulling the ball back for Walsh who struck the base of the post.
But just as the Lionesses gained in confidence, France restored their two-goal advantage.
Diani battled her way into space down the right and laid the ball on a plate for Katoto to tap the hosts into a 3-1 lead, one they didn't relinquish.
