Women’s Euros Group D: England v Netherlands, Wales v France

By Catherine MacKenzie (08/07/2025)

Above: England celebrate with Ella Toone. Photo: Lionesses on X.

England 4 – 0 Netherlands

**Above**: Lauren James and Ella Toone. **Photo**: Lionesses on X.

Team news and context:

The most storied fixture in the competition, England’s Lionesses faced the Dutch OranjeLeeuwinnen (Orange Lionesses) under a cloud of heavy media scrutiny and fan pressure. After losing their first game to France and watching as Oranje put three past Wales, their Euros was on the brink of major disaster: a group stage exit, which would be a first for a reigning champion.

It was not smooth sailing for the Netherlands despite that win – a tumultuous time off-pitch recently culminated in head coach Andries Jonker engaging in a verbal row with a journalist – they called each other’s work a ‘puppet show’. Combined with the awareness that this was potentially Jonker’s penultimate game in charge of the team and a number of players recently returned from injury, few would have predicted a smooth win against England.

To the chagrin of many fans and pundits on social media, England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman opted to make only one change in personnel from the loss to France: Ella Toone came in for Beth Mead. The criticism of the lack of changes missed the point that even one change can have a large impact on team shape and formation. With Ella Toone playing in the no.10 role, Lauren James shifted to the right wing (where Mead had played) – allowing her much more freedom to be creative as Toone was covering the physical work in the middle.

Alex Greenwood also shifted to left-back with under-fire Jess Carter moving to centre-back. This had the benefit of giving Carter additional support whilst benefiting the team with a left-footed player at left-back.

For the Dutch, there were also changes. Danielle van de Donk was rested for the first half; a decision that proved controversial. Jonker asserted that van de Donk was not fit enough to play the entire 90 minutes, which the player herself contradicted post-match. Her omission meant a slight formation change: instead of coming in behind the striker, replacement Chasity Grant came in on the right wing.

Young center-back Veerle Buurman retained her starting place despite suffering an injury and being withdrawn at half-time in the previous game.

Scorers: James (22′) 1-0, Stanway (45+2′) 2-0, James (59′) 3-0, Toone (67′) 4-0.

Highlights:

Apart from an early chance for Vivianne Miedema, England’s Lionesses were in control for the first half. Their dominance finally paid off when goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – known for her distribution – put in a sublime cross past the Dutch midfield straight into the path of Alessia Russo at the other end of the pitch. Russo’s decision-making was spot on as she crossed to Lauren James, who shot home for her first goal of the tournament. England struck again before half-time, with a typically rocket-like strike from Georgia Stanway.

Oranje made a number of changes at half-time. Buurman was withdrawn for captain Sherida Spitse (likely fitness related); Jill Roord was withdrawn for physical and pacey forward Lineth Beerensteyn, and Esme Brugts was replaced by Caitlin Dijkstra. This meant a shift in formation to a back three with four in midfield with the aim of more control going forward. This did not pay dividends, however: England scored swiftly after half-time, with the Alessia Russo-scored goal ruled out for offside (her second chalked off goal in two games).

England had to wait until the 60th minute for their third, however James took the chance to shoot in a busy penalty area, passing goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar into the bottom right corner. Under ten minutes later, Ella Toone made it four – her first England goal since the passing of her father Nick Toone last September. In a touching moment, she dedicated her goal to him, and her teammates recognised the occasion and rushed to celebrate with her.

Players of the match: Alessia Russo and Hannah Hampton

Whilst James scored twice and Toone proved magic in midfield, the workrate of Alessia Russo was unmatched. Registering three assists, Russo was everywhere: making four key passes and putting in a shift defensively. Most impressive was her selflessness: whereas some strikers would impulsively go for goal in certain situations, Russo is consistently willing to put the team ahead of her own goal scoring numbers. A key example is receiving the pass from Hampton; instead of trying to shoot from the corner of the box, she put the extra pass in to James, who slotted home.

Hannah Hampton’s performance is likely to go under the radar, but given the fanfare around her role as number one goalkeeper, she deserves highlighting. Whilst her ability to dictate play with her distribution is widely known (she used to play outfield), the pass to Russo was one that arguably no other goalkeeper could make. The height of the ball was perfect – at chest level, and with a speed meaning some Dutch players likely missed that it even happened. She also made an important pass under pressure, and made the correct decision to make a run out early in the match when the Netherlands had their chance. Had that gone in, it may have changed the game.

What next for the teams:

The Netherlands face an uphill battle in their quest to qualify for the quarterfinals: they must beat France by at least three goals to achieve it. From a very precarious position last Sunday, England are suddenly in control of their progress: win against Wales and they are through. A draw would be enough if the Netherlands lose to France; should they win and England draw, the Dutch would go through.

Wales 1-4 France

**Above**: Jess Fishlock scores. **Photo**: AttackingThird on X.

Team news and context:

French head coach Laurent Bonadei made a host of changes to the side that beat England last time out. With the match against the Netherlands on the horizon, the thought was likely to rest key players ahead of the last match of the group stage. Sandie Toletti came in for Sakina Karchaoui, Clara Mateo for Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Manchester United’s Melvine Malard got her first start of the tournament, coming in on the left to replace Kelly Gago.

There were also headlines for the Welsh: goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel made her tournament debut as the first South-Asian player to play at the Euros, at only 20 years of age. The Manchester United goalkeeper has also been outspoken about her Autism diagnosis, and it was a pleasant surprise to see the youngster given the nod over established number one Olivia Clark.

Scorers: Mateo (8′) 0-1, Fishlock (13′) 1-1, Diani (45+1′) 1-2, Majri (53′) 1-3, Geyoro (63′) 1-4.

Highlights:

This game was certainly the more controversial of the day. A much-changed France side took an early lead, with their first chance coming within the first minute. It was only eight minutes in when a corner found Clara Mateo, who hit the top right corner of the net for France’s first goal.

A historic moment for Wales soon occurred, however, as veteran Jess Fishlock equalised for Wales after a scrappy scramble in the box that France failed to deal with. There was a potential offside which VAR took a typically long time to decide, but the goal was given – and Wales had their first goal at a major tournament.

Wales were defensively organised and compact – they made it difficult for the French attacking line to create much. The deadlock was finally broken in the final minutes of the half when a soft penalty was awarded to Clara Mateo after a foul from Ceri Holland. The penalty was just about converted, with Middleton-Patel almost saving it, and France were ahead.

This proved the turning point for both teams as Wales began to fatigue from their defensive organisation and France’s substitutes brought world class fresh legs to the field. Amel Majri shot home from the middle of the box for the 3-1, and Grace Geyoro made it four minutes later.

Whilst Middleton-Patel might feel she could have done better with one or two of the goals, it was still a decent performance for the debutant. Four saves, a successful run out and a couple of tackles kept the scoreline down.

Player of the match: Amel Majri

The Lyonnes midfielder was at the heart of everything for France. One goal, 86% pass accuracy, dribbles, duels and tackles – much like Russo for England, Majri’s impact was significantly more than just scoring goals.

What next for the teams:

France are in touching distance of the quarterfinals – avoid defeat against the Netherlands and they are through. Wales will exit at the group stage with their last match coming against rivals England – where tensions will undoubtedly run high. Wales can take a huge amount from this performance, however: their first tournament goal, a young goalkeeper with major tournament experience against a world class opponent, and for large parts of the first half they did shut France down.

For Poland, their first major tournament ends at the group stage. They can take some major positives from the experience, however, and they looked solid defensively for much of the match. They face Denmark in their last game of the tournament, who will be searching for the win.

Moment/player of the day

There are two standout moments of this gameday. The first comes in the opening match as Lauren James put England ahead after that simply sublime pass from Hannah Hampton – which will be talked about for years. The second is Wales’ first tournament goal – the poetry of it being scored by Welsh legend Jess Fishlock – and the moment that caused the Red Wall to race to their feet.