SARINA WIEGMAN suffered her first-ever European Championship defeat as England were handed a major reality check by France.
The Dutchwoman, buoyed by the return of Lauren James, went into the match insisting that her players were fully prepared to defend their title.
But when it came to their performance at Letzigrund in Zurich, they failed to live up to their status.
It was a positive start for the Lionesses, with Alessia Russo slotting the ball home after jumping onto a rebound from goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud Magnin in the 16th minute.
However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR check for a marginal offside involving Beth Mead in the build-up.
That proved to be a turning point – but in the worst possible way for England.
The disallowed strike galvanised the French, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto netting the opener 20 minutes later following a surge of pressure from Les Bleus.
After being tormented by Delphine Cascarino throughout the first half, Jess Carter was caught out by a ball sent through to her by Élisa De Almeida.
The NWSL star then put the ball on a plate for her team-mate, left with plenty of space, to tap in at the back post.
England failed to switch on after that, with Chelsea superstar Sandy Baltimore doubling the lead with a stunning effort.
Receiving the ball around 40 yards out from goal, the 25-year-old was given plenty of time to make her way into the box.
Lucy Bronze attempted to get back, but after losing balance she inadvertently teed her Blues team-mate up for a spectacular strike into the top-right corner.
Despite the disastrous first-half display, Wiegman held fire on making any changes until the 60th minute.
Lauren James, arguably England’s best on the night, was replaced by Ella Toone with Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles also introduced, although those changes didn’t make too much of a difference performance-wise.
There were calls for a France red card when Sakina Karchaoui slid into the back of England captain Leah Williamson but they were quashed in a VAR check, only adding to Wiegman and Co’s evergrowing frustration.
The Lionesses were handed a glimmer of hope when Keira Walsh got one back with a long-range strike into the top-right corner with just three minutes of added time to play.
But it was too little too late by that point.
The disastrous result left the reigning Euro champions third in Group D and with a huge mountain to climb.
England now face a make-or-break meeting with Holland on Wednesday, where another defeat could see them dumped out of the tournament with a match to spare.
Wiegman cut a frustrated future throughout, not helped by a few refereeing decisions that were deemed contentious by fans.
Her impeccable European Championship record has now ended under incredibly frustrating circumstances.
Before the defeat in Zurich, the Dutchwoman had won all of the 12 games she had taken charge of over two successive tournaments – both of which ended with her lifting the trophy, the first being with Holland before leading England to glory.
Whatever happens at Letzigrund on Wednesday, she will be a hero for one of those nations.
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