Chris not going Slo
Eugenie Le Sommer’s first-half goal in Moncton ensured the French repeated their success over England’s women in the 2011 tournament.
That puts the pressure on England’s remaining games in Group F against Mexico and Colombia.
Sampson’s side were left nursing a sense of injustice after Laura Bassett was left with a badly swollen eye after being caught by France forward Camille Abily.
Abily escaped punishment but could easily have seen red if the second-half incident had been spotted by the referee.
Sampson insisted his side were unlucky but they never looked likely to get anything out of the match.
The coach said: “We managed the first half very well, but we were always going to be vulnerable to a counter-attack. But it was an excellent performance.”
The odds were stacked against England starting the tournament in Canada with a win against a side expected to reach the last four.
Sampson knew his team would be unable to match France as an attacking force.
That persuaded him to pack the midfield, and for half an hour it appeared as though the plan would work.
But as soon as the French got a sight of goal, Le Sommer punished Sampson’s side with a superb strike.
Katie Chapman was caught in possession in midfield deep inside her own half, allowing Le Sommer to surge forward.
When the France forward unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards, keeper Karen Bardsley was caught out at her near post.
Sampson’s side were guilty of giving the ball away too easily.
However, they responded positively after the break and at least presented France with more problems without managing to find an equaliser. CHRIS SMALLING is on a mission to stop Slovenia ruining his summer holidays.
The England star will line up against the Group E rivals in Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifier in Ljubljana.
A win or draw would make it 10 games unbeaten for England since last summer’s World Cup shambles in Brazil.
Roy Hodgson’s men have a commanding six-point lead at the top of the group and their main concern could be complacency.
But Smalling insists the Three Lions are desperate to secure another positive result heading into the summer break.
The Manchester United defender said: “I don’t think it will be hard to get up for this game.
“It is one of those where we know if we do the job on Sunday, it (qualification) is near enough there.
“Then we can go into the summer relieved and happy, whereas if we don’t win this game, it is a long break.
“So I don’t think there will be any problems with people getting up for it.”