Women’s Euro 2025: countdown to France v Germany; England hopeful over Williamson – live | Women’s Euro 2025
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Key events
More from Esme Morgan on Leah Williamson’s fitness – and her own chances of playing in the semi-final
We are very optimistic that Leah will be available. She seemed in very high spirits this morning, and I want what’s best for the team and that’s absolutely having our captain on the pitch for us.
The same as every single game, I’m going to be prepared to play if I’m needed. I’ll know the role and just be absolutely ready to train at at high level over the next few days, but we’re very optimistic Leah will be fine.
Thanks Emillia, hello one and all. Only six hours until kick-off until the last fourth quarter-final: France v Germany, a repeat of the 2022 semi-final and a potential classic. Mind you, the German press don’t necessarily see it that way.
With that, I’m off for a break now so Rob Smyth will be taking the reins of this live blog.
Esme Morgan gave a positive injury update on Leah Williamson this morning. She said: “We’re very optimistic that Leah will be available. She seemed in very high spirits this morning and I want what’s best for the team and that’s absolutely having our captain on the pitch for us. We’re very optimistic that Leah will be fine.”
England's Esme Morgan during a press conference. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Be sure the give the latest episode of Women’s Football Weekly a listen. There was plenty to talk about…
“Jess Carter glumly accepted her warm-down top, the pallid commiserations of Arjan Veurink and a seat on the England bench. In truth she had been fortunate to see 70 minutes of this quarter-final, and for all the nightmarish apparitions of the first half perhaps the last few minutes were the loneliest of all. Marooned at the back, 30 yards behind the rest of the team while England forced set pieces and pushed for a route back into the game: a last line of defence that had proved to be very little defence at all…”
Let me take a moment to point you in the direction of this huge guide to all 368 players who have appeared at Euro 2025 this month.
Given the last three meetings between Germany and France ended 2-1 to the eight-time European champions, what do we think the score will be tonight? Will we see another repeat?
France v Germany: last three meetings
Germany 2-1 France, 27 July 2022, Milton Keynes
“I can’t put it into words … we threw everything in,” said the Germany captain, Alexandra Popp, after powering her side into the Euro 2022 final. Her double in Milton Keynes ended France’s run and continued her streak of scoring in every game she played in the tournament. Kadidiatou Diani led France’s response, her shot rebounding off the post and in off the goalkeeper Merle Frohms. A stunning save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin kept France in it, and the defending was admirable, but Popp’s unstoppable header proved the difference.
Germany 2-1 France, 7 October 2022, Dresden
Germany kicked off their World Cup preparations with a show of strength in Dresden. Before kick-off, players huddled around Giulia Gwinn’s shirt - a nod to their injured teammate – and channelled that spirit into a dominant display. Popp rose for her 60th international goal, then slid in a second. France pulled one back from the spot, but Germany’s defence held firm. Surrounded by flags and home support, they looked sharp, united and ready.
France 2-1 Germany, 23 February 2024, Lyon
France ended a five-year drought against Germany in front of a record 30,000 crowd in Lyon, edging a fierce Nations League semi-final. Diani opened with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, before Sakina Karchaoui added a second from the spot. Germany pulled one back through Gwinn’s penalty, with Popp driving them forward, but France held on for a long-overdue win.
Germany take on France tonight for a place in the semi-finals. Despite qualifying for the last-eight with a game to spare, Christian Wück’s side have not looked like the formidable team many people expected them to be going into the tournament.
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Asked whether she doubted that England would turn things around against Sweden when 2-0 down on Thursday, defender Esme Morgan said: “There was a moment at the end of the first half where I thought, ‘I’ve not packed anything, my wardrobes are full right now and I haven’t got anything in my suitcases!’ But I really had a sense throughout the game, even when we were down, that it wasn’t our time to go.
“Sometimes you just have a sense of calm where you can’t really explain why it’s there, but just belief really that we’re not going to let this happen. And so, I always had faith that we were going to turn it round and thankfully that happened.”
Esme Morgan during a press conference. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Speaking of transfers, you can keep up to date with all the latest moves in the top leagues with our transfer interactives.
In the men’s game, Arsenal are still understood to be in the process of finalising a deal for Viktor Gyökeres. Yes, it’s STILL ongoing…
Anyway, here’s what Barney Ronay has to say about the saga:
Euro 2025 knockout schedule:
Tom Garry
“The image of Terry Butcher’s blood-stained shirt during an England draw against Sweden in 1989 is immortalised in the country’s football history. Now another English player’s stoic display against Sweden – this time with a bloodied nose – will be etched into the annals after Hannah Hampton’s heroics during the Lionesses’ remarkable shootout victory over Sweden in Zurich…”
Be sure to click here to recap all of the Euro 2025 results so far, as well as the final group standings.
Swedish media reacted with incredulity and indignation after the country’s women’s team lost the Euro 2025 quarter-final to England on penalties.
England optimistic over Williamson fitness
Tom Garry
Esme Morgan says England are “very optimistic that Leah will be fine” for Tuesday’s semi-final, when asked about the chances of Leah Williamson playing v Italy.
As always, I want to hear from you today! Be sure to message me with any thoughts on the Euro 2025 quarter-finals so far and predictions for tonight’s match.
I think I’ve only just recovered from the drama of Thursday’s clash between Sweden and England. What a match! Here is how England fans reacted to the outcome…
Euro 2025 quarter-finals:
You can keep up to date with the race for the Euro 2025 Golden Boot here:
Last night saw another TWO penalties missed at Euro 2025. Mariona Caldentey first dragged her effort wide in the ninth minute.
Then, in the closing stages of the match, Alexia Putellas had her attempt saved by Livia Peng.
That means only 12 out of the 25 penalties (48%) taken at the tournament so far have been scored!
Livia Peng of Switzerland saves a penalty, taken by Alexia Putellas. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Jonathan Liew
“Afterwards, there was an awful lot of messing about. Probably more than you would expect after a briefly absorbing quarter-final whose outcome was never seriously in doubt. The Swiss players performed the world’s slowest lap of honour. The Spanish players posed for a group photo, but it kept having to be retaken as more players arrived. OK, now one more with Aitana. Now one more with Irene. Now one with the staff. Now in portrait for the ’gram. Then the teams gave each other an honour guard off the pitch. At one point you would swear someone laid out some picnic blankets and Scotch eggs…”
“Euro 2025 favourites Spain gave Switzerland hope before sealing their place in the semi-finals last night - but France or Germany could challenge their supremacy next Wednesday…”
Despite missing out on a place in the semi-finals last night, the Switzerland players stayed on the pitch to thank fans for their support.
Switzerland show a thank you sign to the fans after the final whistle. Photograph: Michael Zemanek/ShutterstockFans of Switzerland during the match between Spain and Switzerland. Photograph: Francesco Farina/SPP/Shutterstock
Be sure to recap last night’s clash by reading Suzanne Wrack’s match report from Bern…
Preamble
Hello, good morning and welcome to another Euro 2025 Matchday live! Today we’ll be reacting to last night’s clash between Spain and Switzerland, which resulted in a 2-0 win for the world champions and heartbreak for the tournament hosts. We’ll also be looking ahead to this evening’s meeting between France and Germany, the last quarter-final of the four.
I’ll be with you all day, keeping you up to date with all the latest news from Switzerland.
