England Lionesses Crush Dutch to Revive Euro Bid

England Lionesses stormed back into Euro 2025 qualifying contention with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands in St Gallen, proving that the reigning champions still possess the bite that carried them to continental glory two summers ago.

England Lionesses answer the pressure test

England Lionesses arrived in Switzerland aware that another slip could have spelled an early exit. After a frustrating loss to France, Sarina Wiegman’s squad had one objective: survive and advance. From the opening whistle they played with urgency, snapping into challenges and moving the ball at pace. Within 12 minutes Lauren James rifled a low drive past Daphne van Domselaar, setting the tone for a night that re-energised the title defence.

Dominant display shines a light on champion mentality

With the primary focus keyword England Lionesses echoing around Kybunpark, the team showcased why expectations remain sky-high. James doubled her tally before half-time with a composed finish after Georgia Stanway’s incisive through-ball. Moments later Stanway found the net herself—helped by a slight deflection—to hand England a 3-0 cushion. Ella Toone capped the scoring late on, sliding home from close range after intricate wing play.

Williamson leads from the back

Captain Leah Williamson, returning to major-tournament action following an ACL lay-off, marshalled the back line superbly. Speaking to Sky Sports afterward, she reflected on the high-stakes evening: “The result you just saw is what we are capable of. None of us wanted to go home. Our place in the tournament was on the line and we played like it. I’m incredibly proud.” Her leadership ensured a first clean sheet of the campaign and injected fresh belief throughout the squad.

Star performers: James and Stanway

Chelsea forward James was simply unplayable, gliding past defenders and ending with two goals, three shots on target and 89 percent pass accuracy. Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway dominated central areas, completing 11 ball recoveries in addition to her goal and assist. “This was about showing who we are,” she told BBC Sport. “We want to get back to proper England. Once we hit 3-0 we could settle and control the game.”

How the victory reshapes the Euro 2025 landscape

The emphatic win vaults England Lionesses to second in Group A with three points, level on points with France but behind on goal difference. A draw against Wales on Sunday will confirm quarter-final qualification, while victory could see Wiegman’s side top the section depending on France’s result versus the Netherlands. Crucially, the performance restored confidence following the French setback and reminded rivals that England remain favourites to retain their crown.

Key statistics

• Possession: England 58% – Netherlands 42%
• Shots: 19 (11 on target) – Netherlands 6 (2 on target)
• Pass accuracy: England 85% – Netherlands 79%
• Tackles won: England 16 – Netherlands 11
• Expected Goals (xG): England 3.2 – Netherlands 0.5

Manager’s verdict

Wiegman, facing her native country, praised her squad’s resilience: “We talked all week about sticking to our principles. Tonight the England Lionesses pressed together, attacked together and defended as a unit. This is the standard we set for the rest of the tournament.”

What’s next?

Sunday’s clash with Wales offers a chance to finish the job. Wales have lost both fixtures so far, yet derby dynamics guarantee intensity. Wiegman may rotate, but Williamson insists complacency is not an option: “We’ve had one bad day and one good day. Now we need consistency.”

England Lionesses eye long-term glory

Beyond immediate qualification, the triumph underscores the squad’s depth. Young defenders Maya Le Tissier and Esme Morgan impressed off the bench, while Rachel Daly’s tireless running at left-back freed Chloe Kelly to torment Dutch full-backs. If the England Lionesses replicate this balance of aggression and composure, a second successive European crown is realistic.

A word on the opposition

The Netherlands, European champions in 2017, entered the competition ranked fifth in the world, but defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed. Coach Andries Jonker admitted: “England were superior in every phase. We must regroup fast before facing France.”

Fan reaction

Social media buzzed with praise for James’s clinical edge and for Williamson’s inspirational return. Hashtags #Lionesses and #HerGameToo trended worldwide, reflecting the global pull of women’s football.

Opinion

The England Lionesses needed a statement, and this was it. High-pressure fixtures often reveal character more than talent, and Wednesday’s 4-0 masterclass suggested that, despite recent wobble, the champions still possess both in abundance. Maintain this focus against Wales, and another deep run is not just possible—it feels inevitable.