England Women's bid to automatically qualify for Euro 2025 suffered a painful setback as France Women came from behind to win 2-1 at St James' Park in League A Group 3.
After celebrated goalkeeper Mary Earps came off injured in the first few minutes, Beth Mead prodded Sarina Wiegman's side ahead, but two clinical volleys from Elisa De Almeida and Marie-Antoinette Katoto turned the tie on its head.
Defensive landmarks headlined the England team news, as while Millie Bright made a welcome return to the backline following her knee problems, Earps won Lionesses cap number 50 in between the sticks.
However, the Manchester United stopper picked up an injury with less than a minute gone, and despite initially trying to push through the pain and the tears, she was forced to call it a day with just eight minutes played.
Hannah Hampton deputised for Earps, who could force a smile on the bench in the 30th minute, as Lauren Hemp's low cross fell kindly for Mead to smash in the opener after a penalty-box collision between Georgia Stanway and Selma Bacha.
Mead's strike just papered over England's set-piece cracks, though, as while Hampton made a terrific full-length save to keep out Maelle Lakrar's header in the 34th minute, she was powerless to stop an incredible De Almeida volley from looping over her head and into the bottom corner in the 41st minute.
After coming unstuck from a corner for France's leveller, similar frailties reared their ugly heads for England in the 69th, as the Lionesses failed to properly clear their lines and Katoto took full advantage with a slick volley on the turn.
As their late pressure amounted to nothing, England have now dropped out of the automatic qualification positions into third place in Group 3, below Sweden - who thrashed the Republic of Ireland 3-0 - on goal difference and now five below Les Bleus.
Wiegman's side will have the chance to respond when they reunite with France at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in four days' time. body check tags ::
