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England secure quarter-final berth with dominant win over Wales
England have emphatically booked their place in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals after a resounding victory against Wales. But the question now is: are they ready to go all the way?
The Lionesses demonstrated their title aspirations in Switzerland, overpowering Wales 6-1, following a crucial 4-0 triumph over the Netherlands.
While their campaign hasn’t been without its challenges – notably a 2-1 defeat to France in their opening match – England are steadily gaining momentum.
Next up is Sweden on Thursday (20:00 BST), a rematch of the Euro 2022 semi-final, as England aim to continue their title defence.
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The group stages exposed both England’s strengths and weaknesses, with France exploiting defensive vulnerabilities, ultimately spurring them into action for the subsequent matches.
Following the opening defeat, the Lionesses pledged to respond on the pitch – and they delivered.
Convincing wins against the Netherlands and Wales secured their spot as group runners-up, averting a difficult quarter-final clash with Germany and a potential semi-final encounter with either world champions Spain or host nation Switzerland.
Manager Sarina Wiegman maintained that their final group position wasn’t her primary concern – at least outwardly – but expressed satisfaction with the “urgency” instilled by the loss to France.
“That really brought us together and everyone really wanted to perform and be successful,” she stated.
“In the Netherlands game, we really created urgency and momentum by playing really well and to our strengths.
“With that loss, the urgency came and I think the team really responded well. Now hopefully we can show that again against Sweden.”
England showcased dominance in their victories over the Netherlands and Wales, scoring 10 goals while displaying some of their most fluid attacking football.
Lauren James impressed with her individual brilliance, Ella Toone justified her place in the starting XI, and Alessia Russo proved to be a pivotal presence up front.
“It doesn’t seem it at the time but [losing to France] was probably the best thing that could have happened to us as a team and it motivated us,” said England forward Beth Mead.
“We had hard conversations, we figured things out. You don’t win or lose a tournament in the first game.
“Now we are in a position where we are building quite nicely.”
Midfielder Keira Walsh suggested that their “slow start” might have “kicked them into gear,” leading them to discover confidence and bravery that had been previously absent in Zurich.
While failing to qualify for the knockout stages would have been a significant setback, Georgia Stanway emphasized that progressing from the tournament’s toughest group was an achievement worth celebrating.
“There have been many days in this tournament where we could have been going home. To be staying a few more days is something we can be proud of,” she added.
Sarina Wiegman has lost only one match as manager at a Euros
Wiegman faces several key decisions ahead of the quarter-finals.
She received criticism for her initial setup in the opening defeat, which saw James deployed in the number 10 role and England’s midfield exposed.
Jess Carter faced significant pressure at left-back, and Stanway struggled to influence the game in midfield.
However, Wiegman responded effectively against the Netherlands, shifting James to a wider position, introducing Toone into the starting XI, and swapping Greenwood and Carter’s positions in the back four.
The changes proved so successful that she retained the same starting XI against Wales.
When asked about the key to England’s midfield transformation, Walsh said: “I think massive credit to Ella Toone. She’s come in and done an incredible job.
“People speak about her offensively, but the defensive work she does for me and Georgia [Stanway] when she’s in there is incredible.
“She covers a lot of spaces that we can’t. That’s probably been the main thing that’s stopped other teams from playing as well.”
Whether Wiegman opts for further adjustments remains to be seen, but she has clearly identified a winning formula. Known for her consistency, Wiegman led her team to victory at Euro 2022, utilizing the same starting lineup in all six matches.
She has also gained valuable insights into her squad’s depth, with Aggie Beever-Jones scoring as a substitute against Wales, and teenager Michelle Agyemang making a notable impact during her brief appearance against France.
Sweden have made a strong start in Switzerland, securing a thrilling 4-1 victory over Germany on Saturday to top Group C with nine points from their three games.
The two sides are familiar foes, having met in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, where the Lionesses triumphed 4-0 in dominant fashion.
They also clashed in Euro 2025 qualifying, with Sweden holding England to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Wembley in April 2024, followed by a goalless draw three months later.
Both nations have now progressed from the group stages in their last six major tournaments, so this is familiar territory.
“We watched their game [against Germany]. It was a very interesting game,” said Mead.
“They pose a very different threat and it’s a team we have played a lot in the past. Hopefully we can nullify what they are good at and bring our strengths.”
United States manager Emma Hayes told ITV that if England are not properly prepared, Sweden will “cause them a lot of problems”.
With Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo – who recently left Barcelona – in their ranks, England are aware they face a formidable counter-attacking team.
Walsh added that they are also a “really physical” team who have been ruthless in their three matches so far.
Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley also acknowledged the threats posed by the Lionesses’ next opponents.
“Sweden have got quick wingers, a really talented, experienced midfield and threats in-behind,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “They are several things that England have struggled with.”
However, despite Sweden’s confidence, England have built their own momentum and Bardsley believes they can progress.
“I believe in the Lionesses. I think they can win. It is going to be a significantly different order,” she added.
Euro 2025 TV & BBC radio schedule
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