Euro 2025: Lionesses swat Netherlands aside to get title defence back on track | OneFootball

Defending champions take on neighbouring rivals next in St Gallen

England were back to their scintillating selves as they swatted the Netherlands aside and forgot all about their opening-day defeat to France.

However, England ripped up the form book, and decimated their opponents with a devastating display.

Wiegman made just the one change to the side that were beaten by France, with Beth Mead dropped for Ella Toone, who moved into the No10 hole, while Lauren James shifted to the right-wing berth.

The tactical tweak worked a treat. James was the two-goal hero, notching a superb left-footed effort on 22 minutes, before doubling her tally on the hour after the ball richocheted kindly into her path, with both Alessia Russo and Ella Toone having swipes from the Lauren Hemp delivery.

Georgia Stanway made it two on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken half-volley that nestled into the corner of Daphne van Domselaar’s net, and Toone got in on the act on 67 minutes, as she worked a yard of space to snap off a left-footed effort that squeezed in.

It is a statement victory for England, who could so easily have been embarrassingly knocked out this evening had they lost and France beaten Wales.

However, that is not the case, and they take on their fellow Home Nation on matchday three in a far stronger position, knowing that their fate is well and truly in their own hands, supplemented by a much healthier goal difference.