England booked their place in the UEFA Women’s Euros quarter-finals after winning against local rivals Wales 6-1.
In two games, the English side has scored 10 goals and only conceded one as they come second in the group of death, as France beat the Netherlands 5-2 to go in as group winners and will face France.
Sarina Wiegman's team responded to the opening defeat and came out fighting. When they lost the ball, three players got it back, shouting, " Why are they the current title holders.
It was Alessia Russo's first goal that was not ruled out for offside by VAR.
Aggie Beever-Jones scored her first major international competition as a super-sub and celebrated in front of the home crowd.
First half action
In the 13th minute, England was initially given a free kick at the edge of the box through a foul on Lauren Hemp; however, VAR intervened and penalised England. It was a harsh penalty because it was at the edge of the box, and from the video they showed in the stadium, it did not seem that the foul was committed inside the box.
Only eight minutes later Ella Toone got her second goal of the tournament from a Jess Fishlock poor back pass which Toone pounced on and capitalised on the mistake and went and slotted in the back of the net.
The lionesses did not stop there; they scored twice through in the first half as both Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo scored to make it 4-0 for England.
SECOND HALF
Given the strong start of the game and they had already secured their quarter final spot Wiegman made some crucial changes with Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones, Beth Mead, Jess Park and Niamh Charles to save the legs of the starting XI to play group C winners Sweden who beat Germany the night before 4-1.
In the 72nd minute Beth Mead picked up the ball on the edge of the box, shifted it onto her left and curled a low strike to put England 5-0 up.
Wales were given a goal in the 76th minute through Hannah Cain, who capitalised on a lapse at the back—something the French capitalised on in the first game, which is likely England's most significant weakness without Millie Bright.
This was Wales' second goal in the tournament; their previous one was by Jess Fishlock in the game against France.
AGGIE, AGGIE, AGGIE…OI OI OI.
In her debut senior international tournament she scored from the bench in the 89th minute to make it 6-1.
Toone played higher than in previous matches, thriving in a free No.10 role with support from Stanway and Walsh.
Hemp and Mead stretched the pitch, while full-backs Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles overlapped aggressively.
Hampton’s long-range distribution added an extra dimension, bypassing Wales’ midfield with pinpoint accuracy.
Wales struggled to maintain shape and depth in midfield, especially against England’s rotations.
England had the most possessions: 77%. They had 24 shots and 11 on target, whereas Wales had only six shots and two on target. England made 699 passes, while Wales only made 208.
Sarina Wiegman (England head coach):
“We looked like ourselves again — sharp, brave, and hungry. I’m proud of how the team responded under pressure.”
Rhian Wilkinson (Wales coach):
“It’s disappointing to lose so heavily, but scoring that goal means everything to this team. We’ve made history tonight.”
England finish second in Group D and will face Sweden in the quarter-finals on July 17 in Zurich.
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