England Women got their Women Euro 2025 campaign up and running with a thumping 4-0 win over Netherlands Women – led by a fantastic brace from Lauren James.
The Lionesses were hurting after their disappointing 2-1 loss to France in the opener and knew they had to bounce back. They did just that and got off to the perfect start when James rifled her side into the lead in the 22nd minute with a super strike into the corner with her left foot.
England dominated the first half and capitalised on that spell by doubling their lead on the stroke of half time thanks to Georgia Stanway’s stunning strike on the half-volley from outside the area.
Sarina Wiegman’s team continued pushing for the third in the second half and got it when Ella Toone’s effort was rebounded into the path of James to thump home her second of the day. An amazing day was rounded off by Toone getting in on the act to make it four. Now England’s hopes of retaining their title are looking a lot more promising.
Here’s how the players rated after the game in Zurich.
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Hannah Hampton – 7 – Confident and assertive with her decision making – and what a superb ball forward in the build up to James’ owner. Didn’t have much to do in truth.
Lucy Bronze – 7 – Calm in possession and aggressive off the ball by making some impressive interceptions.
Leah Williamson – 7 – Had to stay focused and disciplined despite the poor performance from the Netherlands. Kept the back line organised and well drilled.
Jess Carter – 6 – A much more solid display from Carter after being switched from left-back into the middle of defence. Wiegman should play her here going forward.
Alex Greenwood – 6 – Same goes for Greenwood after switching from centre-back to left-back. Looks much more confident on the left and provided a good threat going forward.
Ella Toone – 7 – Made Wiegman realise she made a mistake by dropping her against France as she put in a fine performance that helped England tick in midfield. Capped it off by a fabulous strike to make it four.
Keira Walsh – 7 – Displayed her incise passing range and vision with some beautiful deliveries in the the box to trouble the Dutch.
Georgia Stanway – 8 – What a strike to double the lead! Oozed quality on the ball and gave England real quality to help them dominate possession.
Lauren James – 9 – Fantastic strike to open the scoring. Gave England real impetus when they needed it and did that once again in the second half with a confident finish to add her second of the day. Player of the match.
Alessia Russo – 7 – Missed a huge early chance with a header from six yards she should have buried. Made up for a few misses with solid hold-up play and a hat-trick of assists on the day.
Lauren Hemp – 8 – A constant threat down the left-hand side and should have picked up an early assist when Russo missed her big chance. Relentless attacking threat and so accurate with her crossing. Played a big role in James’ second goal.
Substitutes
Chloe Kelly (for James 69) – 6 – Wouldn’t stop running after coming on for James – even though the game was done and dusted at 4-0.
Grace Clinton (for Toone 75) – 6 – Gave England added quality as the Manchester United helped England grind out the big win.
Beth Mead (for Hemp 75) – 6 – Got stuck in immediately after being introduced and embarked on a handful of dangerous attacks.
Aggie Beever-Jones (for Russo 84) – N/A – Came on for her Euros debut. There will be more to come for the Chelsea star and she’ll have benefited from playing without pressure.
Niamh Charles (for Bronze 84) – N/A – Useful run out for Charles, who will hope to feature from the off against Wales.
Netherlands player ratings
Daphne van Domselaar – 4 – A few nervy touches as England pressed high led to some anxious moments. Won’t be happy at all to have let in four.
Kerstin Casparij – 4 – A few decent runs down the right flank but had real trouble dealing with Hemp’s dangerous runs.
Dominique Janssen – 5 – Did her best to rally the troops during a difficult time. Probably the Netherlands’ best defender on the day – if there was one.
Veerle Buurman – 4 – Did not deal well with England’s early bombardment after the first goal as she struggled to cope with a number of aerial attacks. Subbed off at half-time due to injury.
Esmee Brugts – 5 – She was one of the Netherlands’ brightest talents in the first half as she tried to bomb forward amid the lack of threat from her teammates. Hooked at half time.
Wieke Kaptein – 5 – Carried the ball well in midfield but was overwhelmed by her opposite numbers as England dominated.
Jackie Groenen – 5 – She let the game pass her by and couldn’t handle England’s aggressive nature of play.
Victoria Pelova – 4 – Looked uncomfortable at times and a few misplaced passes. Lucky to stay on the pitch.
Chasity Grant – 5 – Anonymous in the first half but grew as an attacking threat in the second half on the right hand side.
Vivienne Miedema – 5 – Quiet day for the Netherlands’ biggest star. It was a momentous day for her against Wales but she went missing here. Subbed off.
Jill Roord – 4 – Not her best game for her country by any stretch. Couldn’t get involved going forward and one of three players hooked at half time.
Substitutes
Caitlin Dijkstra (for Brugts 45) – 5 – Didn’t have the impact her manager would have wanted from her after being introduced for Brugts at the break.
Sherida Spitse (for Buurman 45) – 5 – The captain of the national team struggled to steady the ship as she came on at the break. Provided the team’s first shot on target in the second half.
Lineth Beerensteyn (for Roord 45) – 5 – Made a couple of decent runs into the box looking to get one back for the Netherlands.
Danielle van de Donk (for Miedema 66) – 5 – The introduction of Van de Donk had little impact other than providing a fresh pair of legs.
Damaris Egurrola (for Groenen 85) – N/A – A late sub.