Fran Kirby’s penalty was England’s only reward as they lost 3-1 to France in an entertaining friendly.
Goals in each half from Sandy Baltimore and Viviane Asseyi put the hosts in control in Caen.
Kirby’s spot-kick reduced the deficit with 11 minutes remaining, but Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s close-range effort three minutes later sealed victory.
Nikita Parris and Beth Mead also had chances well saved by France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
A minute’s silence was held before kick-off and the England players wore black armbands to mark the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.