The group’s stages showed England’s best and worst as France exploited his defensive fraud and kicked him in gear for the remaining two matches.
Due to his initial defeat, the lioness vowed to talk on the pitch – and he did.
A loud win against the Netherlands and Wales was followed as they finished runner-up in the group, avoiding a heavyweight quarter-final tie with Germany, and hosting Switzerland in a possible meeting with world champions Spain or in a semi-finals.
Where they ended in the group, they did not worry the manager Sarina Wigman – externally at least – but she was pleased with the “urgency” that France’s disadvantage gave her to her.
“It really brought us together and everyone really wanted to perform and be successful,” he said.
“In the Netherlands game, we really created urgency and speed for our strength.
“With that disadvantage, urgency came and I think the team really responded well. Now hopefully we can show again against Sweden.”
England dominated their victory over the Netherlands and Wales, scoring 10 goals in the process, and displayed some of their best-free football.
Lauren James stood out with his personal quality, Ella Tone proved his merit in the early eleven and Alesia Russo was up.
“It doesn’t take that time but [losing to France] Perhaps the best thing that could have been with us as a team and inspired us, “England further said to Beth Mead.
“We had a hard conversation, we discovered things. You don’t win or lose the tournament in the first game.
“Now we are in a situation where we are building quite well.”
Midfielder Keira Walsh said that his “slow start” “Kicking him in gear” but he gained confidence and bravery that lacking Jurich.
It is a great disappointment that England failed to qualify for the knockout stages, but after moving beyond the most difficult group in the tournament, Georgia Stanway said it was worth celebrating.
He said, “There have been many days in this tournament, where we could go home. There is something to live in a few more days that we can be proud of,” he said.
