England delivered a dominant display to keep their Euro 2025 knockout hopes alive with a convincing 4-0 win over the Netherlands in Group D.
Goals from Lauren James, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone – along with a masterful performance from Alessia Russo – lifted the Lionesses to a vital three points after a patchy start to the tournament.
The tone was set early at a packed stadium as England wasted no time asserting their attacking intent. Lauren James had already missed a headed chance in the opening minutes and Russo also nodded wide from close range before the breakthrough came in the 22nd minute.
Alessia Russo, who was at the heart of much of England’s forward play, picked out James in the centre of the box. The Chelsea star made no mistake, rifling a left-footed shot into the top corner for 1-0.
England’s confidence visibly grew after the opener, and it paid off just before half-time. After sustained pressure, Stanway doubled the lead with a stunning long-range effort from outside the box.
The Bayern Munich midfielder was quickest to react following a set piece, curling her shot low into the bottom left corner in first-half stoppage time.
The Dutch tried to regroup in the second half with a triple substitution at the break, including the introduction of Sherida Spitse and Lineth Beerensteyn.
However, England continued to dominate. Hannah Hampton was solid in goal and commanded her box well during the Netherlands’ brief moments of pressure, including saving an angled drive from Spitse in the 79th minute.
Four goals and three big points at #WEURO2025! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/55sb1qo5hF
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 9, 2025
By the hour mark, England had effectively ended the contest. Lauren James grabbed her second and England’s third in the 60th minute, calmly slotting past Daphne van Domselaar after a defensive lapse left her unmarked in the middle of the area.
Just seven minutes later, England added a fourth. Russo again turned provider, squaring the ball for Ella Toone who tucked away a low left-footed finish from close range to cap off a commanding team move.
The goal was Toone’s first of the tournament and underlined England’s attacking depth, as all three of their starting midfielders got on the scoresheet.
Managerial substitutions followed as England rotated with confidence. Aggie Beever-Jones, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Grace Clinton, and Niamh Charles all came off the bench as Sarina Wiegman looked to manage minutes and preserve energy ahead of the final group match.
Despite a flurry of late fouls and a few Dutch corners, England stayed disciplined and saw the game out comfortably.
The clean sheet – thanks in part to solid defensive performances from Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, and Lucy Bronze – was a welcome bonus.
England now head into their final group game against Wales knowing a win will almost certainly seal a place in the knockout rounds, while the Netherlands must pick up a win against France.
