City duo help Lionesses roar back against Dutch | OneFootball

England took a big step towards qualifying for the Euro 2025 quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands in Zurich.

After losing their opening game against France, the defending champions needed all three points against the Dutch to keep their destiny in their own hands.

And the Lionesses were thoroughly dominant as a Lauren James brace and goals from Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone secured the victory.

The clash saw City four team-mates face each other with Alex Greenwood moving across to the left-side of England’s defence to add some much-needed stability following the 2-1 defeat to France in their Group D opener.

And the switch helped give Sarina Weigman’s side the platform to control a must-win game with City striker Vivianne Miedema left isolated up front for the Dutch.

Another fascinating subplot saw Lauren Hemp directly up against her Joie Stadium team-mate Kerstin Casparij and in one early run, the winger found some room to send over a far post cross that James headed narrowly wide.

But the Chelsea forward was on target in the 22nd minute with a fierce strike into the top corner to fire the Lionesses ahead.

Hemp almost doubled England’s advantage before the break when she was on the end of Kiera Walsh’s cross but her header looped onto the top of the net.

A second did arrive just before the break, when a free-kick dropped on the edge of the box to Stanway to hit a low drive from the edge of the box.

Alessia Russo had the ball in the back of the net shortly after the restart but celebrations were cut shot by an offside flag.

But the third finally came just before the hour with Hemp the architect, this time darting down the right-hand flank. England had two stabs at putting the ball in the net before the ball finally dropped for James to claim her second.

Toone punished sloppy defending for England’s fourth to wrap up a thoroughly-deserved victory.

England face Wales in their final group game on Sunday at 20:00 (UK) with the Dutch playing France at the same time.