The European champions could've been eliminated after just two games, but their tournament is back on track after a thrashing of the Netherlands
After winning the European Championship in 2022 and enjoying a run to the Women's World Cup final only a year later, surely England's title defence at Euro 2025 wasn't going to end in the group stages after only two games, right? It seemed incredibly far-fetched, and yet it was a very real possibility as the Lionesses went into their second outing in the 'group of death'. That was until things got underway in Zurich and, in a 4-0 hammering of the Dutch, England proved why they are such fantastic champions.
There was so much to like about how the Lionesses responded to the rather worrying 2-1 defeat to France last Saturday, and Sarina Wiegman deserves all the praise in the world for her changes, which saw Jess Carter look much more comfortable in a central role as Alex Greenwood impressively protected a left-back position she has history in, while Ella Toone added more steel to the midfield and Lauren James thrived out wide. If eyebrows were raised in doubt for Wiegman's last team selection, they were raised in acknowledgement of her fantastic management here.
The players themselves came into this game with a remarkable attitude, too, eager to prove the critics wrong and get their title defence back on track. Questions were asked of the team environment in the build-up to the Euros, as Mary Earps shockingly retired and Millie Bright withdrew her name from selection. The application, intensity and energy on show from England here, however, was evidence that this group is well and truly together.
And then there was the sheer quality that delivered the goals. James showed just why there are many out there who believe she could win the Ballon d'Or one day, Hannah Hampton exhibited the remarkable distribution which has won rave reviews and allowed her to usurp Earps into the No.1 spot, and Alessia Russo proved why her all-round game is just as important as her goal-scoring, with a hat-trick of assists.
England's job isn't done yet. The Lionesses might have wrestled momentum back in Group D, but they still need to record victory on Sunday over Wales, who showed plenty of fight in a spirited defeat to France and will be desperate to get at least a point from their first major tournament. But Wednesday's remarkable performance and result means England's hopes of success are well and truly alive, when they could've been dead and buried.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Stadion Letzigrund…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Sarina Wiegman
This was a managerial masterclass by Wiegman. The way she diagnosed the issues from the France defeat, made changes to address them all and saw each tweak pay off handsomely was perfect evidence of why she is the best coach in the international women's game right now.
Some coaches would be too stubborn to change too much, but despite how some may view the England boss, she is not. Just as she successfully changed shape during the Lionesses' run to the 2023 Women's World Cup final, she was able to alter her team just enough here, without tearing it up, to make a drastic difference to the performance levels.
There is no nation in this tournament that has as good a manager as England. The likes of Germany and France have first-timers in charge, while there has been plenty of criticism aimed at Spain boss Montse Tome in her two-year tenure. With Wiegman at the helm, the Lionesses will always have the chance to win the biggest prizes.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWINNER: Lauren James
James was England's best player against France on Saturday, but her use as a No.10 in a 4-3-3 set-up wasn't ideal for the team as a whole, removing some steel from the midfield as tends to be the case when you deploy a forward in that area of the park. That wasn't on the Chelsea star, who was the Lionesses' brightest spark throughout, but it felt important to put her in a better position to succeed against the Netherlands.
Wiegman could've opted to do that in a 3-5-2 formation, leaving James in the middle, but she maintained the shape from last time out and put the winger back out wide instead, where she thrived. The 23-year-old was lethal, scoring twice, creating a couple more chances and generally causing chaos for a Dutch defence that just didn't know how to stop her.
It was not exactly a secret before this game, but James' magic is going to be key if England are to defend their European title – and she looks sharp.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Vivianne Miedema
After lighting up the Euros with a splendid performance against Wales last time out, all eyes were on Vivianne Miedema when it came to the Netherlands in this encounter. The forward is well-known to English fans thanks to her record-breaking exploits in the Women's Super League with Arsenal and now Manchester City, but she barely got a kick on Wednesday.
There was a moment after just five minutes when Miedema looked to be in, as Chasity Grant got in behind the England defence and squared the ball to the Netherlands' all-time top goal-scorer. Her first touch was uncharacteristically poor, though, at a point when she appeared to have got the better of Leah Williamson and was left with only Hannah Hampton to beat.
And that was about the only involvement Miedema had in this match. She was able to have only seven touches of the ball in the first half, the fewest of any player on the pitch, and was withdrawn after 66 minutes having only found herself in possession once more. Now, the Netherlands' chances of progressing to the quarter-finals are out of her and her team's hands.
AFPWINNER: Jess Carter
Carter is an excellent centre-back. She showed that at the 2023 World Cup and, after being moved inside from the left-back role she occupied in the defeat to France, she was able to issue a reminder of as much in the win over the Netherlands. Only Keira Walsh won possession back more often than the 27-year-old on Wednesday, no England player made more clearances and she also won both of her tackles while standing out as arguably the most impressive defender in the Lionesses' back line.
Carter has come in for her fair share of criticism over the last few days, judged as the weak line in this side. However, that is the consequence of England having an issue in a certain role and her being played out of position to address it. When used properly, she is a serious asset.
