Euro 2013: England Women 0-3 France Women

England Ladies were knocked out of Euro 2013 tonight as they were handsomely beaten 3-0 France in their final group game.

The defeat means the Lionesses finished bottom of Group C with just the one point having been beaten by Spain and only managing a draw against Russia.

A draw with France may have been enough for England, but the quality shown by their opponents was too much and were left second best for much of the game.

An early strike from Eugenie le Sommer, and two goals inside six minutes of the second half, was enough for the French to cruise through, finishing top of the group with nine points.

Despite having already qualified for the quarter finals, the French dominated from the off and it was Le Sommer who came closest as she struck the inside of the post in the eight minute.

The striker who plays for Lyon, was involved again just 60 seconds later receiving the ball inside the 18-yard box allowing her to guide the ball past the despairing Karen Bardsley in the England goal.  

France could have been two goals up seconds later as captain Sandrine Soubeyrand unleashed a powerful 25 yard drive that flew inches over the England crossbar. 

picture: gettyimages

England couldn't handle the French pace and attack and were undone once again allowing Elodie Thomis to fire an effort at goal only for Bardsley to save well at her near post.

The second half began a lot brighter for England, as Hope Powell introduced Jill Scott to the game replacing Anita Asante in midfield. 

However the French continued their attack and Thomis was involved again as she raced through on goal, only to see her effort fly wide of the upright.

With England beginning to get back into the game, Hope Powell brought on Kelly Smith, but within moments of the change, the French added two quick fire goals.

Louisa Necib curled home from outside the box to double the lead, and she then turned provider moments later as her cross was met by defender Renard, whose powerful header flew past the helpless Bardsley. 

Despite being three goals down, and out of the competition, England showed great fight in the last 20 minutes of the game, with Ellen White guilty of missing England's best chance.

The defeat meant an early exit for the England Women who fail to get out of the group stage for the first time since 2005. 

England: Bardsley, A. Scott, Houghton, Bradley, Stoney, Asante (J. Scott 46') Williams, Aluko (Smith 60') White, Carney (Clarke 73') Duggan

France: Deville, Renard, Franco, Houara, Delannoy, Soubeyrand (Bussaglia 46') Henry (Catala 61') Necib, Le Sommer, Thomis, Thiney (Abily 46')

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

Euro 2013: England Women 1-1 Russia Women

picture: zimbio.com

A stoppage time equaliser against Russia, from substitute Toni Duggan, means England Ladies remain within a faint chance of progressing from Group C.

The Everton Ladies forward netted in the dying moments of the game cancelling out Russia's first half goal from Nelli Korovkina.

Duggan had been denied moments earlier by the woodwork but her first goal for her country means a win against France on Thursday will see the Lionesses progress to the quarter-finals.

England had started the game the better of the sides as Ellen White saw her shot on the swivel sail over the Russian goal.

Karen Bardsley was called into action moments later as she was forced into a smart save, diving to her right to palm a Petrova header away from the goal.

England's bright start continued early on as Jill Scott was brilliantly denied a goal by Russian keeper Todua who tipped her effort onto the woodwork.

Despite being on the backfoot, Russia looked dangerous on the counter and nearly took the lead as Korovkina's 30 yard dipping effort sailed agonisingly wide of Bardsley's right hand upright.

At the other end, England were creating more chances as Steph Houghton headed wide when well placed, as well as Alex Scott, whose left footed shot drifted wide of the post.

With England's inability to take the lead, it was Russia who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute of the game.

A left wing cross from Elena Morozova was poorly defended by the England back line, allowing Korovkina to head past Bardsley from close range.

The goal knocked England's confidence and gave them 45 minutes to keep themselves in the competition.

They could have been level early on in the second half, but Ellen White was unable to guide a Karen Carney cross into the goal.

As time began to disappear, Hope Powell introduced the injured Kelly Smith, who replaced Houghton as a last gasp attempt to save the game.

The change paid dividend as a deflected cross from Smith fell to the foot of fellow sub Duggan who stroked the ball home from 12 yards, to give England a small chance of progressing.

Euro 2013: England Women 2-3 Spain Women

A late goal in stoppage time meant England women were left disappointed in their opening group game against Spain.

picture: UEFA.com

An own goal from goalkeeper Karen Bardsley late on meant that England’s lionesses began their European campaign with a 3-2 defeat in Linkoping.

England had thought they had salvaged a draw as Laura Bassett and Eniola Aluka had cancelled out Spanish goals from Veronica Boquete and Jennifer Hermoso. 

The game got off to a flyer as the Spanish typically dominated possession leading them to score the opening goal.

With four minutes on the clock, the ball fell to Sonia whose through ball to Boquete who slid the ball past the advancing Bardsley.

Despite the set back, England hit back immediately as well timed ball from Jill Scott found Eniola Aluko who finished well in the bottom corner.

England could have been leading moments later as Fara Williams 25 yard effort was brilliantly tipped over by Spain’s keeper Tirapu Ainhoa

The game began to calm down after the frantic start with either sides canceling each other with little being created.

The game sprung to life again just before half time as Karen Bardsley did well to tip a Sonia shot round the post before Ellen White was denied well by a last ditch tackle from Parades.  

The second half began at a slow pace with both teams once again finding it difficult to break each other down.

Spain’s number ten saw a snap shot go wide, while at the other end, Rachel Yankey’s effort was well blocked by a Spanish defender. 

The game did begin to liven up with 15 minutes remaining as a misjudgment by Bardsley saw the ball loop over the keeper who could only watch as Vicky Losada somehow hit the crossbar from three yards out. 

With only five minutes to go, the game looked like it would end level, however after England failed to clear from a corner, Jennifer Hermoso slammed the ball home.

Again just like in the first half, England hit back straight away, as a well worked corner saw Laura Bassett scoop the ball home after receiving an Anita Asante header.

With only seconds left, Spain crossed the ball from the left which struck the unfortunate Bardsley who could only watch helplessly as the ball rolled into the net. 

Line ups:

England: Bardsley, A. Scott, Stoney, Bassett, Houghton, Williams, J. Scott, Asante, Yankey (Clarke 90') Aluko (Carney 73') E. White

Spain: Ainhoa, Garcia, Torrejon, Paredes, Bermudez (Putellas 74') Meseguer, Ibarra, Hermoso, Boquete, Martin, Calderon (Losada 61')

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight