Internationals: Russo and Maanum among the goals

An Alessia Russo header proved crucial as the Lionesses got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday night.

After Georgia Stanway had opened the scoring for England from long range, Alessia connected with a Lauren Hemp cross to bounce the ball over the goalkeeper for 2-0.

France pulled one back courtesy of a Kadidiatou Diani penalty in the 72nd minute, but Sarina Wiegman’s side held on, marshalled by Leah Williamson.

Beth Mead also got 75 minutes under her belt on the wing.

The win moves England into a stronger position in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers, but they are still third in the standings with Sweden and France above them with the final two games to come in July.

It was France’s first defeat in 59 major championship qualifying games and England’s first victory away to them in 51 years.

“We just spoke as a team then, we know that our standards have to be higher, we have probably let them slip a bit in these past few qualifiers but we know the talent we have,” Alessia said. “We know the potential we have as a group and we saw a lot more of it tonight.”

Elsewhere in the group, Republic of Ireland remain bottom following a 1-0 defeat away to Sweden, which Katie McCabe played 90 minutes of.

Magdalena Eriksson’s 84th-minute strike was enough to separate the sides.

Over in League A Group A1, Frida Maanum also headed in an important goal for Norway with an 81st minute equaliser away to Italy.

Nodding in from a corner, the 1-1 draw keeps Norway above Italy in the group on five points, two behind leaders Netherlands.

As for Netherlands, Victoria Pelova played 12 minutes of their 1-1 draw away to Finland, which kept them top of the group.

In League 1 Group A2, Kahtrine Kuhl came on in the 59th minute for Denmark in their 3-2 loss away to Spain. Laia Codina was an unused substitute for the home side.

Spain remain top of League 1 Group A2 with maximum points, while Denmark are second with six points from four games.

Finally, Laura Wienroither came on at half-time as Austria lost 2-1 away to Iceland, while Manuela Zinsberger was not included in the squad.

Austria are third in League A Group A4 with four points from four games and will need to win at least one of their final two games to stand a chance of catching second-placed Iceland.

In international friendlies, Emily Fox came on in the 72nd minute of USA’s 3-0 win at home to South Korea on Wednesday. Crystal Dunn opened the scoring in the 13th minute, before goals from Sophia Smith and Lily Yohannes made sure of the win for Emma Hayes’ side

Cloe Lacasse played 66 minutes of Canada’s 1-1 friendly draw at home to Mexico. Kadeisha Buchanan gave Canada the lead before Lizbeth Ovalle equalised.