England 4-0 Netherlands: Leeuwinnen given masterclass by Wiegman

The Netherlands were outclassed by a resurgent England team who recovered from their opening defeat by France to leave Oranje’s hopes of progressing in Euro 2025 hanging by a thread.

Two goals in each half, including a double by Lauren James, completed a comprehensive win for Sarina Wiegman’s defending champions against her native country.

The Dutch must now beat France in the final group game, possibly by a wide margin, unless Wales can pull off a huge upset against one of the other two nations.

Coach Andries Jonker made one enforced change for the match in Zurich, bringing in Chasity Grant on the right in place of Daniëlle van de Donk, who limped off near the end of the Netherlands’ 3-0 win against Wales.

Vivianne Miedema, fresh from scoring her 100th international goal, spearheaded a three-woman front line with Grant and Jill Roord, with Victoria Pelova pushed back into midfield.

Wiegman also made one change to the England team, preferring Ella Toone in midfield to Miedema’s partner Beth Mead.

England had the first chance to take the lead when Lauren James’ fourth-minute header went just wide, before Alessio Russo scuffed a shot when presented with a clear chance, allowing Daphne van Domselaar to gather.

James and Lauren Hamp were running the Dutch ragged on the flanks and it was no surprise when England struck first through the left boot of James after 22 minutes.

The Leeuwinnen’s first real chance came shortly afterwards when a shot from Roord flew just over the crossbar. But the Netherlands were struggling to keep possession in midfield, leaving Miedema isolated up front.

Two minutes from half-time Roord was harshly penalised for a tackle on Alex Greenwood in the Dutch half, when the striker appeared to have won the ball cleanly. The resulting free-kick was cleared into the path of Georgia Stanway, who dispatched a low shot that beat Domselaar at the near post.

Jonker made three changes at half-time as the Dutch were forced to change the game, bringing on Lineth Beerensteyn to boost the attack, while defenders Esmee Brugts and Veerle Buurman were replaced by Caitlin Dijkstra and the veteran Sherida Spitse, with the latter winning her 246th international cap.

England had the ball in the net from a corner through Russo just after the break, but Leah Williamson had momentarily strayed offside in the build-up.

The Dutch had their best spell afterwards, winning two corners and going close to scoring when Grant’s cross drifted too far in front of Miedema.

But just as they were starting to grow into the game, England countered down the right and the ball ended up at the foot of James, who cracked in her second.

Miedema was withdrawn in favour of Van de Donk after 65 minutes, just before Toone completed the scoring as she collected a pass from Russo before shooting below the diving Van Domselaar.

And only a good save from the goalkeeper from Keira Walsh, with Russo again in the supporting role, saved the Dutch from going 5-0 down.