This match held plenty of interest for Blues fans, with Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Lauren James all named in Sarina Wiegman’s XI, while Sandy Baltimore and Oriane Jean-Francois were named in the France starting lineup.

It was one of the most highly anticipated matches of the group stages, and England had the ball in the back of the net first. The move began with some superb build-up play from James, who laid the ball off to Beth Mead. Mead passed to Lauren Hemp, whose shot was parried by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin before Alessia Russo netted the follow-up. Unfortunately for the Lionesses, the goal was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside call.

The momentum then swung in the other direction. Delphine Cascarino got away from Jess Carter and played a low cross into the box for Marie Antionette Katoto to tap the ball home after 36 minutes.

France doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Chelsea’s Jean-Francois played the ball forward to club team-mate Sandy Baltimore. The Blues star made the forward run down the wing and jinked past the defence to fire high into the roof of the net, continuing her fine run of form.

England had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Yet France carried on pushing after the break, Elisa De Almeida hitting the side netting, and Hampton was called into action to make a last-ditch double save to deny Grace Geyoro.

The hour mark brought changes for both sides. James made way for Ella Toone on 60 minutes, and Baltimore was replaced by Melvine Malard shortly afterwards.

Toone earned England a corner with a shot with five minutes remaining, and from that set play, Keira Walsh pulled one back for the Lionesses with a superb shot from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Suddenly, Sarina Wiegman's side had sparked into life. Substitute Michelle Agyemang went close as she attempted to slide in her attempt on goal.

As the seconds ticked away, Lauren Hemp had her effort cleared off the line by Selma Bacha, but England's resurgence had come too late, and France held on to take all three points.

Earlier in the day, Wieke Kaptein and Veerle Buurman both started for the Netherlands as they beat tournament newcomers Wales 3-0.

Rhian Wilkinson’s side held out until almost half-time, but striker Vivianne Miedema broke their resolve with a top-class strike from the edge of the box.

A goal from Victoria Pelova shortly after the restart killed off any hopes of a comeback and the win was sealed when Esmee Brugts sent a volley beyond goalkeeper Olivia Clark.

Kaptein was a steadying presence in the midfield and completed the match with a 90 per cent passing accuracy rate, while defender Buurman was replaced by Caitlin Dijkstra with nine minutes of normal time to play, having made one tackle and recovered the ball on seven occasions.