England 4-0 Netherlands: James and Russo star as holders hit back
England provided the perfect response to their defeat to France at Euro 2025 with a ruthless display against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Lauren James and Alessia Russo starred as defending champions England got their Euro 2025 campaign back on track with a thumping 4-0 victory over the Netherlands.
James scored in either half while Russo provided three assists as Sarina Wiegman's team provided the perfect response to their opening defeat to France.
The Lionesses moved at least temporarily top of Group D on goal difference, with France in action against Wales in the group's later game on Wednesday.
England's confident start was rewarded in the 22nd minute when Hannah Hampton's pass found Russo, who laid the ball back for James to sensationally pick out the top corner.
They deservedly doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through Georgia Stanway's stunning finish from distance, after James' free-kick fell kindly into her path.
After Russo saw her header ruled out for offside early in the second half, England got their third on the hour when Ella Toone's blocked effort landed at the feet of James, who swept home.
The rout was completed in the 67th minute by Toone, who collected Russo's pass inside the box before firing beyond the reach of Daphne van Domselaar.
Data Debrief: James and Russo spark the ideal response
England knew the magnitude of this game and the importance of a positive result, but that pressure never told as they brushed aside the talk of an early exit in Switzerland.
And their star quality at the top end of the pitch came to the fore, with James becoming only the second England player to score a brace at both the Women's World Cup and Women's Euros, after Ellen White. The Chelsea forward has also been directly involved in more goals than any other European player across the last two major tournaments (eight – five goals, three assists).
Stanway also played her part. Indeed, since her England debut in November 2018, only Beth Mead (34) and White (26) have scored more goals for the Lionesses than the midfielder (23).
Russo, meanwhile, finished with three assists from four chances created.
The triumph was made even more impressive as, before this match, the Netherlands had never conceded more than two goals in a single match at a major tournament (World Cup/Euros) in 35 such games. However, the Dutch were limited to just four shots and only 0.22 expected goals, while England recorded 2.72 xG from 17 attempts.
