Lauren James’ brace helped England defeat Netherlands 4-0 to move top of Group D at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
James fired England into a 22nd-minute lead after she met a pass from Alessia Russo and curled into the top-right corner, with Russo having initially picked the ball up from a long pass by goalkeeper – Hannah Hampton.
Georgia Stanway doubled England’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a low strike in the second minute of stoppage time.
James added the Lionesses third goal with her second strike which came from a deflection on the hour mark, before Ella Toone wrapped up victory with a 66th-minute strike.
Speaking to BBC One post-match, James revealed that she “enjoyed” the performance with the goals speaking volumes about their statement of intent, and is hopeful that she can continue to get more involved in the goals as the tournament continues.
“We bounced back from our previous game and today we showed we’re more than capable of showing the world what we can do.
“I just try do my best each game. Hopefully, as the games go on I keep getting more involved.”
England consequently went top of Group D but were demoted to second after France defeated Wales 4-1 to move onto the summit, with Kadidiatou Diani’s penalty plus goals from Amel Majri and Grace Geyoro proving the difference after Clara Mateo’s opener was cancelled out by Jess Fishlock.
Under pressure to get a result in Zurich following their opening defeat to France, England began on the front foot after Sarina Wiegman dropped Beth Mead for Toone in the starting line-up, with a high-intensity press quickly evident in their play.
Lauren Hemp in particular proved problematic for Netherlands’ right side with her runs which led to crosses for James and Russo in the opening nine minutes, but the latter pair both headed wide of the right corner from six yards.
That early pressure eventually paid off through a long pass from Hampton up the middle to Russo – who calmly took the ball towards the right-sided edge of the box, before she cut back for James to curl into the top-right corner on her left foot to put the reigning champions in front.
Netherlands struggled to create much quality in the first half aside from a wide 26th-minute shot by Jill Roord, whilst England almost doubled their lead just ten minutes later but Hemp headed Keira Walsh’s cross over the bar.
England however found themselves two goals to the good at half time after a deep free-kick in the second minute of stoppage time was deflected for Stanway to rifle low into her near-left corner from 18-yards, moments after Russo, Walsh and James saw chances denied.
Netherlands in response sent on Caitlin Dijkstra, Sherida Spitse and Lineth Beerensteyn in desperation and the latter saw a 48th-minute header saved by Hampton.
England however continued to look regenerated in contrast to their defensive mess against France as Russo nodded a 50th-minute header in from Alex Greenwood’s cross, but the goal was disallowed due to Leah Williamson having stood in an offside position.
That slice of luck however failed to spark the Dutch into life as the game was finished off on the hour mark from Hemp’s cutback cross, which Russo scruffily deflected toward Toone whose attempt was blocked out for James to roll in to secure her second goal of the game.
England inflicted further misery just six minutes later as Russo met the ball inside the box and calmly found space to cut across towards Toone, with the 25-year-old free to curl low past a wrong-footed Daphne van Domselaar into the far-right corner to wrap up the victory.
What’s Next?
England meet Wales in their final group match at Arena St. Gallen on Sunday 13 July at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), whilst Netherlands head to St. Jakob-Park to meet France at the same time on that night.
Team
England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze (Charles 84′), Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone (Clinton 75′), Lauren James (Kelly 69′), Lauren Hemp (Mead 75′), Alessia Russo (Beever-Jones 84′)
Substitutes: Niamh Charles, Beth Mead, Maya Le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse, Grace Clinton, Esme Morgan, Michelle Agyemang, Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Jess Park, Khiara Keating, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Netherlands: Daphne van Domeslaar, Kerstin Casparij, Dominique Janssen, Veerle Buurman (Spitse 46′), Esmee Brugts (Dijkstra 46′), Wieke Kaptein, Jackie Groenen (Egurrola 85′), Victoria Pelova, Chasity Grant, Vivianne Miedema (Van De Donk 66′), Jill Roord (Beerensteyn 46′)
Substitutes: Lineth Beerensteyn, Caitlin Dijkstra, Damaris Egurrola, Renate Jansen, Lize Kop, Romee Leuchter, Katja Snoeijs, Sherida Spitse, Lynn Wilms, Danielle De Jong, Danielle van de Donk, Ilse van der Zanden
Leave a Reply