England bounce back from opening defeat to beat Netherlands
James scores twice either side of Stanway's long-range strike, before Toone adds fourth
England go into final game against Wales on Sunday knowing they will progress to quarter-finals with victory
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FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
That's all from this live text as England announce themselves at Euro 2025 with a thumping win over the Netherlands to go top of Group D.
The brilliant Lionesses needed three points and a response to that loss to France and that's exactly what they did.
Head over to our live text of France v Wales as the French look to wrap up qualification.
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Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
England
England manager Sarina Wiegman, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm really happy with the performance and the players were proper England. I thought how we bounced back from our defeat against France was really good. You could also tell in camp we refuelled, we had conversations with each other and we moved on. That looked very good but still you have to get a result otherwise you're just going home, it's not a guarantee you play well on the pitch but we did.
"We exploited space Netherlands left behind, we did really well skipping players, going in behind and dragging them out then go forwards. The press we had right, and we really challenged them in that. I'm really happy with how the team responded and really happy with the result because it means we're totally back in the competition.
On if that was the best of Lauren James: "You saw good, I think she can do even better. Of course, she has been out for a while but she is really back on it and that looked really good. She's a special player and that's what you see, and the team supports her and she supports the team and it's really nice she plays to her strengths because she can change games."
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AMAZING LIONESSES! James, Stanway, Toone. And a hat trick of assists from Russo. All England legends!
Nick, Utrecht
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Anna Thompson
BBC Sport at Euro 2025
Netherlands coach Andries Jonker is getting a grilling from the Dutch journalists after their 4-0 drubbing.
He said: It is a heavy defeat and we didn't see it coming. We thought we'd be able to compete and wanted to win and qualify directly. I don't care this is the heaviest defeat ever."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One
Impressive performance [from Ella Toone]. The way she made runs deep into the opposition box. The way she manipulated the ball ball, and the timing of her runs.
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
England
England midfielder Ella Toone, speaking to BBC Sport: "We needed that. We should be proud of ourselves. We knew we had it in us. It should be a performance that we should be really proud of."
On Alessia Russo's three assists: "I didn't even know she had three assists. I should take some lessons from her, and she should take some lessons of me scoring.
"Great player. I love playing with her. We have that connection off the pitch and on the pitch. Buzzing for Alessia and nice to get on the scoresheet."
On doubters: "There is always doubters. We don't listen to it. We have that belief in the squad.
"We know we have the talent, but it is just about getting it out on the pitch.
"It was a proper English display."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One
Ella Toone grabbed that opportunity with both hands.
She made a huge impact when she came on against France.
To start this game on the front foot and to score a goal - she was everywhere.
She has almost put herself in the starting 11 against Wales.
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Pleased for Sarina. You wonder at what point some people will give her the respect she deserves. She's earned it. And a nice lady too by all accounts.
Claire
On the way back into central Zurich after the match. Great performance, well done England!
Jonny and Emma
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
England
England goal scorer Ella Toone, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It felt amazing. It's one we can definitely be proud of. It was a proper English display. I think we put the pressure on them right from the off and we didn't take our foot off the gas right until the very end. It's definitely a performance we can be proud of and hopefully we can take that into the Wales game.
"Whatever role I'm thrown I'll always give 100% for the team, whether I'm starting the game, whether I'm not. It was nice to start today and I made sure I took it with both hands. It was nice to get on the scoresheet as well. It was a game i really enjoyed playing in."
On her responsibilities as a 10: "I don't think Sarina [Wiegman] puts any pressure on any player, as a number 10 you want to create goals, you want to score goals, you want to assist, you want to be involved in the play and make things happen. I think that's the pressure we put on ourselves, me especially, I'm bad for it. I'm enjoying my football and that's when it gets the best out of me I've loved today. I've loved playing in midfield with Kiera [Walsh] and Georgia [Stanway], I think we have a good balance."
On Lauren James' performance: She's the most chilled person and player I've ever met, ever played with. A massive, massive talent, when you've got LJ [Lauren James] on a day like today, she's unstoppable. You can give her the ball in tight areas and she'll get you out. She'll score goals. She made me look better than it was with that bad chance [for the third goal], I'm glad she finished it off.
"She's a great player, always someone you want on your team and not one you want to play against. We're lucky to have a talent like that in the squad but we've definitely got bags of it. It's about getting the best out of each other."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One
Against France we were one or two yards off.
Missing that physicality and intensity, but wow did we see it today.
It really helps when we have more bodies closer to the press and able to swarm the Netherlands midfield.
The Netherlands had that five in the midfield, but it felt like England swarmed that midfield.
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That England performance today is as good as anything we have seen at the tournament so far. Yes the Dutch were poor, but England were clinical.
Chris
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
England
England centre-back Jess Carter, speaking to BBC Sport: "I felt like it was just England. We speak about what being England means and for us that was the performance today.
"The game against France was not an England performance.
"We knew whatever happened today we were going right to the end and we were doing it together. That's what you guys got today.
"I think the only thing I had to prove was to myself. I know I belong on this stage. Every single one of these players belongs on this stage.
"After the France game there was a bit of doubt. Are we good enough? After analysing the game we moved on from it.
"We showed what we can do.
"Viv [Vivianne Miedema] is a next level player. I wasn't focusing on them. I was focusing on what I could do and how I could help my team."
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A great no nonsense centre back performance from Jess Carter, playing where she is at her best.
Rob, West Sussex
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Steph Houghton
Former England captain on BBC One
When Lauren James is in them areas she has so much technical ability.
You think she's going to shoot, but she has no backlift that she takes it short and snappy.
We want James in our starting 11. That is her position coming off that right-hand-side.
Having that defensive responsibility is not her game. We need her on the ball, we need her to make things happen.
That was a very assured performance and a great tactical change by Sarina Wiegman.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadion Letzigrund
There was aggressiveness, there was determination and desire in every single part of the pitch. For me, it was a cohesive performance.
From my defending lens, the organisation behind the ball allows so much attacking freedom because you don't have to be as concerned with what happens if you lose possession. It was all 'you go ahead and we'll take care of this behind you'.
I really enjoyed seeing Georgia Stanway getting higher up the pitch, Kiera Walsh getting higher up the pitch.
The two of them really worked well together, complimented each other and that's what we're used to seeing.
Vintage England, is it too soon to pull that tagline out again? I'm not sure.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Shout out to Jess Carter, by the way. She came in for a lot of criticism after her display at left-back against France.
She was shifted inside by Sarina Wiegman this evening and it worked perfectly. Great performance!
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
England
England defender Jess Carter, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "We're super happy. As a team, we wanted to put in a performance today and win. The biggest thing was doing it as a team.
"We spoke after the France game and said how isolated one another felt and we didn't want that to be repeated, so the focus was to work as hard as we could to the very end and be together as a team.
"We always think about trying to be in our own bubble. The outside world are always going to comment on what we do, even winning 4-0 there'll be someone's saying that's not good enough. The focus is on us trying to make sure we stay together as a team and do what we set out to do and I think that's what we did today."
On Lauren James' performance and her feeling pressure to perform: "There is pressure on her to perform but the best players thrive under pressure and that's what Lauren does. She's a phenomenal player and we all know that she's an incredible talent and I'm glad she's on my team. Everyone has pressure and, as England, everyone has pressure and we do our best to stand up on the day."
On playing centre back: "I don't know why it came about, I turned up to training and that's when Sarina [Wiegman] put me and swapped Alex [Greenwood]. Obviously, we analyse in training and that's what we worked on. I'm not one to question and ask for a reason, I just do the job I'm asked to do. Me and Alex didn't feel connected in the France game and this game felt the total opposite with her and the whole team. Alex was phenomenal at left back."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadion Letzigrund
The variety of threat she [Lauren James] provides for this England side is tremendous and if I was facing her I would've broken my ankles from being turned inside and out.
FT: England 4-0 Netherlands
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One
Less talking and more action...
That's what we saw today.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 4-0 Netherlands
England
Sarina Wiegman, speaking to BBC Sport: "I would not expect 4-0. Absolutely not.
"First of all, of course you want to win and you have to win and if you can win with more than two goals then you know your almost in the best position going into the Wales game. It's all very good tonight.
"It did look like a more balanced team. It's also that you play a totally different opponent who wants to be on the ball too. I think the France and Netherlands games are hard to compare but today, at least, it looked like a balanced team.
"We talked about playing at our best, the game plan, how we can exploit spaces and how can we win the game. Of course, in the game right before half-time you could feel that [the Netherlands] were struggling and we really wanted to get the second goal. That's easier said than done. But that was very good for us at half-time to go in 2-0."
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland defeat Netherlands to get title defence back on track
England recovered from defeat in their Euro 2025 opener to crush the Netherlands and revive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Chelsea forward Lauren James, moved out wide following criticism of her side's midfield set-up in the loss to France, scored twice as the defending champions cruised to victory.
Her opener came after just 22 minutes, as she drilled the ball into the right corner from the edge of the box after a stunning long-range pass from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the build-up.
Sarina Wiegman's side were back to their slick best, defending well and winning the ball in midfield, as they coolly controlled proceedings in Zurich.
Georgia Stanway, who was disappointed with her performance against France, redeemed herself with a powerful strike to double England's lead in first-half added time and celebrated with her arms outstretched.
James capped off an entertaining display with her second on the hour mark when she pounced on the rebound from Ella Toone's saved effort, before Manchester United's Toone got on the scoresheet herself in the 67th minute.
The Lionesses were under pressure to win after falling behind in Group D - widely considered the toughest group in the tournament - and they could have added to their tally, but Alessia Russo's header was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The Netherlands barely threatened and will have work to do to qualify when they face France in their final game on Sunday, while England will fancy themselves against the lowest-ranked nation Wales.
England 'not there yet' but Wiegman proud of team
England's midfield was torn apart against France with their defensive frailties on show and individual mistakes punished.
Stanway gave the ball away on countless occasions in Saturday's 2-1 defeat and there were question marks over whether James' free role left them vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Wiegman was also questioned on her decision to start the 23-year-old, who is undoubtedly one of the world's most talented players, in the number 10 role ahead of Toone.
So when the Lionesses boss chose to start James out wide against her home nation, the Netherlands, there was intrigue to see whether the same issues would arise.
Simply put, they didn't.
England's structure was far more effective, albeit against a Dutch side with less pace than the French, and Toone provided more stability as James was given a licence to roam.
A bright start gave the Lionesses confidence and they built momentum, quickly stamping their authority and showing the 'proper England' Stanway had promised before the game.
The Bayern Munich midfielder also won her early duels and was more effective on the ball in Zurich and rewarded for her efforts with her side's second goal.
Concerns that the holders would exit in the group stage have been quietened as they head into their final group match knowing victory over Wales will confirm their place in the last eight.
'The goals say it all' - James and Stanway react to England win
James showed glimpses of magic in the opening 15 minutes of England's tournament opener, but this was a real display of her world-class talent.
Aside from her two goals, she tracked back well and provided support for full-back Lucy Bronze, as well as linking up nicely with fellow attackers Lauren Hemp and Russo.
Still building up to full fitness, having only returned two weeks ago from a hamstring injury that kept her out for four months, James was at her electric best.
She came off in the second half to a standing ovation, a resounding roar from the England fans and warm applause as she walked around the stadium to return to the dugout.
It was also a solid display from defender Jess Carter, who had also struggled in the defeat by France, and Toone, who was brought into the team for her first start at a Euros.
James has been directly involved in more goals than any other European player across the last two major tournaments (five goals, three assists).
With a speed of 101.93 km/h and a spin rate of 5.85 rotations per second, her first strike against the Netherlands was the most powerful finish recorded in the tournament so far.
Since Stanway's England debut in November 2018, only Beth Mead (34) and Ellen White (26) have scored more goals for the Lionesses than her 23, which is level with Russo.
Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema had just eight touches in the first half.
Before today, the Dutch had never conceded more than two goals in a single match at a major women's tournament.
'Beautiful' strike from Stanway doubles England lead
England take on Wales in St. Gallen on Sunday at 20:00 BST in their final group-stage match, knowing they will progress to the quarter-finals with victory.
The Netherlands face France at the same time in Basel, with both teams still able to qualify.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Norway | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
|
2 Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Finland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
|
4 Iceland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Spain | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
|
2 Italy | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
|
3 Portugal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
|
4 Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Sweden | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
|
2 Germany | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
|
3 Denmark | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
4 Poland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| |
3 Netherlands | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andries Jonker
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andries Jonker
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
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