Preview

The Lionesses are back in action at Euro 2025 on Wednesday evening, faced with having to get a result against the Netherlands just to stay alive in the tournament.

By Jamie Spencer

Must-Win

England were second best for the majority of their opening fixture against France and a second defeat against the Dutch would spell an unfathomable early elimination for the defending champions with a game still to play.

Even a draw would leave the Lionesses with an uphill battle and not in control of their own destiny when it comes to reaching the knockouts – on top of winning their own final game against Wales, they would likely have to rely on the other result in the group.

For the Netherlands, a win gets them through – thanks to what would be a superior head-to-head record against Wales and England – and takes the pressure off their next game against France.

Head-to-Head

There have been 23 encounters since a first meeting in 1973, with England winning 14 of those. Four have been draws and the Dutch have won five times.

The Lionesses won the most recent clash in December 2023, in the UEFA Nations League, coming from 2-0 down to claim a 3-2 victory in stoppage time at Wembley Stadium. But the Dutch had won 2-1 in the reverse fixture just a few weeks earlier.

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England only lost three of the first 39 competitive fixtures played under Sarina Wiegman, now it’s three defeats in the last four.

The Netherlands enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales on matchday one that saw Vivianne Miedema score her 100^th international goal – Arsenal’s Victoria Pelova and Barcelona’s Esmee Brugts got the others. But coming into the tournament, they had been frustrated by Scotland (1-1) and thrashed by Germany (4-0) in their two previous competitive games.

Fresh Energy

Wiegman defended her team selection against France, which featured 10 players who were part of the Euro 2022-winning squad from three years ago. “I don’t have regrets. We try to turn every stone before we make the lineup,” she said after the defeat, but equally hasn’t ruled out making changes.

There is a clamour for Michelle Agyemang to get more of an opportunity. The teenager scored a stunner 41 seconds into her senior debut in April and had an impact in a short cameo against France. Her uncompromising style and fearlessness already commands respect from her teammates.

Grace Clinton also impressed briefly against France, while Maya Le Tissier, Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones all have attributes that could improve what was a stale performance last time out.

Team News

All 23 players again trained for England on Tuesday, which had been the case before facing France. Lauren James is building fitness all the time, a significant boost given that they she was the player who looked more likely than any other to make something happen last time out.

There should be plenty of familiarity with the Dutch squad for most of the Lionesses, with more than half (12) of the squad playing their club football in England last season. But that works both ways. “I already know a lot of those girls,” right-back Kerstin Casparij said.

Prediction

The Lionesses started well and finished well against France, it was 70 minutes in the middle that was the problem. They need to be better. The Dutch aren’t as polished all over the pitch as the French, but still possess huge threats and will take confidence from both their own victory over Wales and the nature of England’s opening performance: England 2-2 Netherlands.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The Lionesses are back in action at Euro 2025 on Wednesday evening, faced with having to get a result against the Netherlands just to stay alive in the tournament.

By Jamie Spencer

Must-Win

England were second best for the majority of their opening fixture against France and a second defeat against the Dutch would spell an unfathomable early elimination for the defending champions with a game still to play.

Even a draw would leave the Lionesses with an uphill battle and not in control of their own destiny when it comes to reaching the knockouts – on top of winning their own final game against Wales, they would likely have to rely on the other result in the group.

For the Netherlands, a win gets them through – thanks to what would be a superior head-to-head record against Wales and England – and takes the pressure off their next game against France.

Head-to-Head

There have been 23 encounters since a first meeting in 1973, with England winning 14 of those. Four have been draws and the Dutch have won five times.

The Lionesses won the most recent clash in December 2023, in the UEFA Nations League, coming from 2-0 down to claim a 3-2 victory in stoppage time at Wembley Stadium. But the Dutch had won 2-1 in the reverse fixture just a few weeks earlier.

Recent Form

England only lost three of the first 39 competitive fixtures played under Sarina Wiegman, now it’s three defeats in the last four.

The Netherlands enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales on matchday one that saw Vivianne Miedema score her 100^th international goal – Arsenal’s Victoria Pelova and Barcelona’s Esmee Brugts got the others. But coming into the tournament, they had been frustrated by Scotland (1-1) and thrashed by Germany (4-0) in their two previous competitive games.

Fresh Energy

Wiegman defended her team selection against France, which featured 10 players who were part of the Euro 2022-winning squad from three years ago. “I don’t have regrets. We try to turn every stone before we make the lineup,” she said after the defeat, but equally hasn’t ruled out making changes.

There is a clamour for Michelle Agyemang to get more of an opportunity. The teenager scored a stunner 41 seconds into her senior debut in April and had an impact in a short cameo against France. Her uncompromising style and fearlessness already commands respect from her teammates.

Grace Clinton also impressed briefly against France, while Maya Le Tissier, Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones all have attributes that could improve what was a stale performance last time out.

Team News

All 23 players again trained for England on Tuesday, which had been the case before facing France. Lauren James is building fitness all the time, a significant boost given that they she was the player who looked more likely than any other to make something happen last time out.

There should be plenty of familiarity with the Dutch squad for most of the Lionesses, with more than half (12) of the squad playing their club football in England last season. But that works both ways. “I already know a lot of those girls,” right-back Kerstin Casparij said.

Prediction

The Lionesses started well and finished well against France, it was 70 minutes in the middle that was the problem. They need to be better. The Dutch aren’t as polished all over the pitch as the French, but still possess huge threats and will take confidence from both their own victory over Wales and the nature of England’s opening performance: England 2-2 Netherlands.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

England and France will be the last two teams to get their Euro 2025 campaign underway, meeting in Group D in Zurich on Saturday night. For the Lionesses, the defence of their 2022 title starts here.

By Jamie Spencer

What’s at Stake?

This is the toughest test either will likely face in the group stage – a Netherlands side past their Sarina Wiegman-era vintage and first-time qualifiers Wales complete the quartet – and it is first up.

There is an element of getting the ‘big one’ out of the way and then building into the tournament, but this game is equally an opportunity for either England or France to lay down an early marker against a fellow contender. Winning here puts top spot in the final group standings and, theoretically, a more favourable quarter-final much more within reach.

Head-to-Head

France hold historic bragging rights in this international rivalry. In 27 past meetings, it’s 13 French victories, nine draws and only five England wins.

England’s Euro 2017 quarter-final triumph was a first win against France since 1974, 19 games. In qualifying for these Euros, France also ended England’s 22-year unbeaten record in major tournament qualifiers. But England claimed revenge by winning in Saint-Etienne four days later.

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In 2025, England have had the highs of beating Spain and enjoying thumping wins over Belgium and Portugal. But they’ve also lost against Belgium and drawn with Portugal, while suffering the pain of losing a lead in a tight defeat to Spain just a month ago. The Lionesses signed off before heading to Switzerland with a 7-0 warm-up friendly win over Jamaica.

France, meanwhile, are in red hot form. It’s eight wins from eight so far in 2025, including warm-up victories against Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2) in late June.

Key Players

Alessia Russo was an impact sub for England at Euro 2022. She’s now 26, the reigning FWA Footballer of the Year, scored a career best 20 goals in all competitions for Arsenal in 2024/25 and won the Champions League. This is her time to shine.

Plenty of eyes will be on Hannah Hampton in goal too. The Chelsea stopper had established herself as England’s preferred starter months before Mary Earps conveyed her international retirement, but the shock of that announcement has served to put a brighter spotlight on the new No.1.

Chelsea winger Sandy Baltimore enjoyed an excellent debut season in English football in 2024/25 and has been consistently performing for France too. More than half (5) of her nine international goals have come in the last six months alone.

Team News

All 23 England players trained on Friday. But just how match fit is Lauren James? The Chelsea attacker played just under half an hour against Jamaica for her first appearance in more than two months.

There’s a strong chance that the XI named against Jamaica will start against France too, but the likes of James, Grace Clinton, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones offer plenty from the bench.

For France, there was genuine shock when Laurent Bonadei didn’t select legend Wendie Renard, 34, for this tournament, while all-time record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer, 36, also missed the cut. Griedge Mbock Bathy fills Lyon teammate Renard’s shoes as captain, but the centre-back has been nursing a calf injury in the days leading up to the first game.

Prediction

Winning would obviously be a huge statement for either side, but not losing early ground feels more important and there might not be anything to separate them: France 1-1 England.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.