France football boss backs women's coach despite 'cruel' Euro loss
But for Diallo there's no question of sacking Bonadei. "After the Olympics, we put our faith in Laurent until the World Cup (in 2027) with the aim of helping this team make the transition from one generation to the next," said Diallo. "With 11 consecutive wins and a successful group stage (at the Euros), there are positive things to remember. But with a lot of humility, we have to get back to work, and that will be with Laurent Bonadei," he added.
However, the federation president made no attempt to play down the heartbreak of failing to progress past the quarter-finals despite being a goal and a player up in normal time. Diallo described the loss to Germany as "a cruel disappointment," adding "everything had been put in place for this team to go much further in the tournament."
"It's a real setback, the eighth time in the last nine major tournaments that France have been eliminated at the quarters," he added. "We're going to have to think with the coach and those in charge of women's football at the FFF about how we can work better."
Bonadei did not include former captain Wendie Renard and France's highest scorer ever Eugénie Le Sommer in his squad. In the group phase, France beat reigning champions England 2-1 in their opening match before thrashing Wales 4-1 and outclassing the Netherlands 5-2.
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Spain controlled the game during the first half with an England team locked in defence and looking to counter and prevent Spain from finishing. The Spaniards had over 63% of possession in the first half. More than 34,200 people have gathered at St. Jakob Park Stadium to watch the final of the Women's EURO 2025, demonstrating the growing interest in women's football in recent years. After a couple of clear-cut chances for Spain and a confident performance from the England goalkeeper, it was not until the 18th minute that England had a clear shot which Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved with a fine left foot. It was not until the 24th minute that Spain took the lead when Mariona headed home from a precise pass from Ona Batlle, sending the St. Jakob Park in Basel into a frenzy. With virtually no time wasted in the first half, the referee added just one minute to the clock, and the first half ended with Spain 1-0 up and a great performance from goalkeeper Cata Coll with two great saves. Second half The second half began with the substitution of an English player due to injury. In the first minute of the second half there was a chance for Mariona and Spain continued to excel in terms of possession time and what our colleague Andrés Montes called 'tiki-taka'. In the 51st minute Spain have had a chance with a shot on goal from the edge of the box from Mariona, but the England goalkeeper saved the shot. The same happened in the 54th minute with a shot from Alexia that went just wide of the right hand side of the goal. England are trying to put more pressure on Spain, putting more players in Spain's half. In the 56th minute, in a counter attack , England scored with a header from Kelly's pass, Alessia Russo equalising the game. It is the 25th goal of this player with the English national team. This goal has revitalised the English who are coming out more aggressively on the counter attacks, with a way out to one on one when they do not have the ball although Spain still keep most of the time of possession. Until the 66th minute it has been a less organised Spain side since the goal was conceded. However, they used their heart to go for a more aggressive attack and started to find chances, such as Atenea's counter-attack and shot after stealing the ball from England. In the 68th minute, another providential performance by the Spanish goalkeeper when England's Kelly shot from the left diagonal of the box. The ball ended up in a corner kick that was in no danger whatsoever. The pace of the second half was much quicker than the first, with both teams level on points, and they were looking for the goal that would tip the balance in their favour. Spain made their first change in the 70th minute with Claudia Pina replacing Alexia Putellas, a surprising change to say the least, and Olga was instructed to press and prevent England from finding openings. The game continues to progress with both teams exchanging chances in what is becoming a very even second half with England playing very vertically while Spain continue to control the game more. In the 79th minute, after a foul and after attending to the England goalkeeper, both teams took a break where they discussed strategy with the coaches and looked for a strategy for the last few minutes of the game. The English pressure was relentless in the face of Spain's ball control and passing in a game that had just entered the final 10 minutes. In the 84th minute there was a chance after a pass from Aitana Bonmatí that went dead after a two-timed save from the England goalkeeper. In the 86th minute England made yet another change, with Mead coming on and replacing Toone. Spain also made changes, but they would not be effective until minutes later, when Paralluelo and Viky López came on. The tension rose in the last two minutes of the game plus the four minutes of stoppage time added by the referee. Paralluelo's introduction brought two goal-scoring opportunities that did not materialise. After half time had passed, Spain played the ball up and pass after pass, Spain had a chance from inside the box with Vicky's shot going over the bar. The referee blows the whistle for the end of normal and added time at 19:52 local time. Spain and England will play each other in the final in added time. Both have already faced extra time in previous matches during this Women's EURO. Extra time Extra time begins at 19:56 with the England team kicking off. Spain continue to control the ball with England crouching at the back and waiting for their chance to counter-attack. Fatigue set in for both teams, slowing the pace of the game slightly with England more passive when on the ball. In the 93rd minute Spain had several chances on the edge of the box but lacked the finishing touch. There was movement on the benches and it was only a matter of minutes before both teams began the dance of the players. The 97th minute arrived and the England Bronze player was given time out to catch her breath and try to reorganise both teams. Spain's energy in retrieving lost balls is outstanding. Spain continued to play their traditional 'tiki-taka' and after reaching the 100th minute, Pina's diagonal shot went just wide of the England goalkeeper's post. The end of the first half of added time is approaching and the score is still 1-1. Two minutes of added time are confirmed in this first half. Spain had a chance in the last minute with a ball across goal after a pass from the wing but Paralluelo was unable to finish. In the event of a draw, a round of penalties would begin. After several changes, there is fresh blood in both teams, and the second half of extra time begins at 20:16 local time. First chance between Paralluelo and Pina in the 106th minute with another ball that sails past the goal. The Spaniards play with energy and cook the second goal despite the fatigue. England were stuck in their own half, and seemed to be looking for a long ball or to wait for penalties with the lack of attitude on the counter that they had shown in the second half. In the 110th minute... Spain almost scored after a rebound from a corner. Spain are fighting for it, they are looking for it and whoever looks for it, will find it, so keep going girls! England have closed down in their own area and Spain are moving the ball around and trying their luck. With their nerves on edge, Spain pull off pass after pass to Viky Lopez who, with her left foot, shoots with her left foot and the ball goes over the crossbar. In the 113th minute an England player called for medical assistance and play was paused momentarily. Minute 119, one minute to go minus the time added by the referee. Spain continue to attack and create chances. Two minutes added on by the referee and that's all that separates the two teams from a penalty shoot-out. Spain were on the attack and showing physical strength against England. However, the match is over. The final decision of the Women's EURO 2025 will be decided in a penalty shoot-out. A pity, as Spain had thoroughly deserved the victory with a remarkable superiority in this extra time. Penalties The penalty shoot-out kicks off at 20:39. England start the shoot-out with Cata Coll in goal. England's Mead scored, but they had to retake the kick because after the slip he hit the ball twice. This second shot was saved by Cata Coll. Spain's first penalty was taken by Patri and she scored after beating the England keeper with a shot to the centre of the goal, having jumped to her right. 1-0 to Spain. England's second shot is taken by Greenwood and Cata Coll almost saves the ball, completely guessing the Englishwoman's intention. 1-1. Mariona's second shot is saved by the England keeper with a shot to the right from half way down the pitch. Still a draw in the penalty shoot-out. England's third shot, inside from the left, just the opposite side to where the England goalkeeper shot. 1-2 in favour of England. Aitana Bonmatí takes the third Spanish penalty. She hits it with her right foot to the left of the goal where it was taken and saved by the England goalkeeper. It's still 1-2 for England. Williamson takes the fourth penalty and Cata Coll makes a safe save! The score was still 1-2 in England's favour. Paralluelo takes the fourth Spanish penalty and shoots wide of the goal. 1-2 for England. The fifth penalty, if Kelly scores, England win. And... in. Spain lose the European Championship to England.
