Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Should he stay or should he go? Miami's Luis Suarez dilemma

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Indonesia vs Japan: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

‘Like if Argentina turned on Messi’ – Could Mbappe retire?

Alexander-Arnold making January move to Real Madrid ‘impossible’

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Russo on scoresheet in crucial Lionesses win</li><li>England beat France away for first time since 1973</li><li>Striker reveals honest post-match discussion</li></ul>

Alessia Russo reveals honest 'standards' conversation Lionesses squad had following much-needed Euro 2025 qualification victory over France

Friendlies

England

The Lionesses went into the game in Saint-Etienne knowing that defeat could be hugely damaging to their hopes of qualifying automatically for Euro 2025, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-player-ratings-france-mary-earps-injury-lionesses-millie-bright-euro-2025-qualifying/blt53a4779ba8e2bc76" target="_blank">having lost to France in Newcastle just four days earlier</a>. However, they bounced back to win 2-1, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-women-player-ratings-france-alessia-russo-jess-carter-lionesses-2025-qualification/bltfe9df7b19baf3a40" target="_blank">securing a first victory away to Les Bleues since 1973</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-georgia-stanway-lionesses-star-scores-stunning-opener-crucial-euro-2025-qualifier-against-france/blte875c5f21ae703ae" target="_blank">Georgia Stanway's wonderful strike</a> broke the deadlock for England midway through the first half and Russo doubled that lead before the break with a smart header. France did get back into things when the visitors conceded a needless penalty late on but Hannah Hampton's heroic late save ensured a 2-1 win.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to ITV after the game, Russo said: "We just spoke as a team then, we know that our standards have to be higher. We've probably let them slip a little bit in these past few qualifiers but we know the talent we have, we know the potential that we have as a group and we saw a lot more flashes of it tonight."I think we got our standards back to where we wanted them. There were still parts that we'll work on, for sure, but that's a performance that we want to keep going forward [with] now. We know the level is higher than ever and we know that to do anything at the Euros, to even qualify, is going to be harder than ever. We're proud. We'll have a little bit of a rest and then we're back in July for another massive camp."

WHAT RUSSO SAID

Though England remain third in their qualifying group after this win, they are in a much better position now. France top the table with nine points, Sweden are in second with seven and the Lionesses are only behind them on goal difference.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sarina Wiegman's side will conclude this stage of the qualifying campaign next month, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-womens-lionesses-fixtures-results-schedule-tv-streams/blt46e43028ee731271" target="_blank">hosting Ireland on July 12 and visiting Sweden four days later</a>. If they finish in one of the top two spots in the group, they will qualify for Euro 2025 automatically. If they finish third, with Ireland confirmed to finish fourth now, they can still reach the tournament but only via the play-offs.

WHAT NEXT FOR RUSSO AND ENGLAND?

Alessia Russo reveals honest 'standards' conversation Lionesses squad had following much-needed Euro 2025 qualification victory over France | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

Lionesses star Alessia Russo admits England have let standards &quot;slip&quot; recently but believes they raised them for a historic win in France on Tuesday.