Tom Hamilton
In Zurich, Lioness manager Sarina Wiegman and her team celebrated a “true England” performance after a resounding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
England bounced back from an initial loss to France, securing their place in the Euro 2025 knockout stage with this crucial win.
Goals from Lauren James, along with contributions from Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone, showcased their strong response to the disappointment against France.
Toone remarked to the BBC, “Doubts can creep in, but we choose not to listen to them. We have faith in our team.”
Echoing this sentiment, Alessia Russo added, “For us, being a ‘proper England’ means working hard and giving our all. We were very dominant with the ball.” She noted their effective play in controlling the first and second balls, which allowed them to capitalize on scoring chances.
Wiegman explained that the phrase “proper England” has been adopted by the players to capture their mindset. “It represents unity and a fighting spirit,” she said, adding that purposeful passing was evident in their performance that day.
Wiegman adjusted her tactics by moving James to the right, bringing Toone into the midfield, and swapping Jess Carter with Alex Greenwood in defense.
“Our aim was to exploit spaces while the Netherlands pushed up,” Wiegman explained. “It paid off as we gained control in their half, allowing us to deliver some excellent crosses.”
England recognized that a loss to the Netherlands would mean an early exit from the tournament.
Wiegman revealed that she experienced doubt after the defeat to France, but maintained her faith that the team could rally. “I knew we were facing a tough group and understood the importance of winning our upcoming matches. While I felt some nerves, I focused on our preparations and strategies.”
Fan Take: This match is pivotal not just for England but for women’s soccer as a whole, exemplifying the growing competitiveness and talent in the sport. A solid performance from top teams like England can inspire a new generation of players and elevate interest in women’s soccer worldwide.
