FridayOL

England's quest to defend their European title suffered an early setback with a 2-1 defeat to France in their Euro 2025 opener. The Lionesses, entering the tournament as reigning champions, faced a tough challenge from Les Bleues, and former England star Karen Carney hasn't held back in her assessment of the performance, specifically pointing fingers at two players whose mistakes proved costly.

Speaking as a pundit for BBC Sport, Carney didn't mince words, labelling a particular error as “unacceptable” and highlighting its significant impact on the match's outcome. While she refrained from naming the players directly in her initial comments, the implication was clear: individual lapses in concentration and execution contributed to England's downfall.

“There were moments where we weren’t quite clinical enough in the final third, and that cost us dearly,” Carney stated. “But beyond that, there were a couple of individual errors that you just can't afford to make at this level. It’s about concentration, decision-making, and executing the fundamentals. When those things slip, you get punished, and we certainly did today.”

The defeat leaves England with a mountain to climb in Group D, where they also face Denmark and Sweden. Sarina Wiegman’s side will need to regroup quickly and address the issues highlighted by Carney if they hope to progress from the group stage. The pressure is now on to deliver a far more polished performance in their upcoming matches.

Carney’s critique comes as no surprise, given her extensive experience as an England international. Known for her direct and insightful analysis, she's never been afraid to speak her mind, even when it's uncomfortable. Her comments are likely to spark debate among fans and pundits alike, and will undoubtedly add extra scrutiny on the players involved.

What needs to change for England?

• Improved Concentration: Minimizing individual errors, particularly in crucial moments.
• Clinical Finishing: Converting chances in the final third consistently.
• Tactical Flexibility: Adapting to different opponents and game situations.
• Stronger Defensive Unity: Solidifying the backline and preventing costly mistakes.

England’s journey in Euro 2025 is far from over, but this defeat to France serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. With Karen Carney’s pointed observations ringing in their ears, the Lionesses must find a way to overcome their shortcomings and rediscover their winning formula if they want to retain their crown.