England suffered a disappointing start to their UEFA Women’s EURO defence when going down 2-1 to France in Zurich.
Lauren James could have given England a first-minute lead and Alessia Russo had a goal disallowed, before France’s Sakina Karchaoui gave the Lionesses a warning shot lobbed into the side netting.
Les Bleues struck twice in a four-minute spell, as Marie-Antoinette Katoto was left with a tap in from the cross by Delphine Cascarino and Sandy Baltimore got through two challenges to fire the second beyond the reach of Hannah Hampton.
Hampton needed two attempts to keep out a Grace Geyoro shot after England had handed possession to the French, the Lionesses keeper also pushing away a Karchaoui effort.
Ella Toone had a shot blocked and a follow-up deflected for a corner, which came out to Keira Walsh who netted from the edge of the box with less than five minutes of the 90 to go.
Michelle Agyemang had a close-range shot blocked and Lauren Hemp an effort cleared off the line deep into added time.
Earlier in the same group, England’s next opponents Netherlands ran out 3-0 winners over Wales.
Group A games on Sunday 6 July
Norway v Finland – live on BBC2 / iPlayer/ BBC Sport Website at 5pm BST
Switzerland v Iceland – live on ITV1 / STV / ITVX / STV Player at 8pm BST
Enjoying our women’s football news?
Take a look inside the latest issue of Her Goal Magazine, packed with exclusive interviews, player features and in-depth stories from across the women’s game.
Discover more stories, interviews and features from the world of women’s football — including players, teams and posters... loads more of what you’re reading about here.
Also available at TG Jones, WHSmith, Asda, Morrisons and independent newsagents.