Aggie Beever-Jones delivered a stunning 33-minute hat-trick for England.
Following a turbulent week for the England squad, all eyes were on goalkeeper Hannah Hampton at Wembley. However, within half an hour, another player stole the spotlight.
Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones shone brightly, scoring her first England hat-trick in the 6-0 demolition of Portugal in the Women’s Nations League.
The 21-year-old achieved this remarkable feat in a mere 33 minutes.
Beever-Jones’s electrifying performance, along with the Lionesses’ overall display, bodes well for Euro 2025, where they aim to defend their European title, only five weeks away.
Pre-match speculation centered on goalkeeper Mary Earps’ surprising international retirement. Concerns arose about the team’s ability to cope without such a key figure. Could Chelsea’s Hampton handle the immense pressure?
The team clearly handled the situation masterfully, with the newly appointed number one, Hampton, barely needing to make a save.
“Are you not entertained?,” exclaimed former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I’m running out of rubber on my eraser because I keep having to change [goalscoring] tally marks.
“It’s been so enjoyable to watch, with such fluidity, and the sheer pleasure this England team displays.”
Ex-England defender Lindsay Johnson called it a “Friday night funfest,” and even manager Sarina Wiegman showed more animated celebrations than usual from the dugout.
Amidst the off-field distractions of the past week, this performance emphatically silenced the noise and significantly boosted team morale.
It was a decisive “back to business” approach, as Wiegman later stated.
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Beever-Jones shines as England trounces Portugal in Nations League
Earps’ retirement – its implications for England?
Wiegman addressed questions regarding Earps’ retirement on Thursday, acknowledging a “difficult” start to the week.
Visibly emotional, Wiegman reflected on their shared successes, declining to elaborate on the frustration caused by the 32-year-old’s abrupt departure.
With Hampton having only 13 caps prior to the match, and the other two goalkeepers lacking international experience, concerns about their inexperience were raised.
However, the team’s outstanding performance minimized these concerns.
Hampton spent most of the second half as a spectator, watching her teammates attempt to add to their five first-half goals, with Chloe Kelly ultimately scoring the sixth.
Beever-Jones offered insight into Wiegman’s pre-match address: “She said before the game, ‘it’s a new kit, it’s a new England, we have a new squad’.”
However, Bardsley described it not as a “new” but a “vintage” England, especially considering the fifth goal arrived in the 33rd minute, completing Beever-Jones’s hat-trick.
Lucy Bronze scored England’s second goal with a header, Beth Mead also contributed, and substitute Kelly added the sixth in the 62nd minute.
“This reminds me of vintage England, taking me back to 2022,” said Bardsley, an 81-cap Lioness veteran. “Portugal played poorly, but amidst the noise, it’s wonderful to see the girls smiling.”
The joyous smiles weren’t limited to the players; fans also danced and celebrated at full-time, clearly thrilled by the display.
England’s form has fluctuated over the past 18 months. Just seven weeks ago they lost to Belgium in Leuven – the bottom team in their Women’s Nations League group – two months after defeating world champions Spain at Wembley.
However, the Lionesses rose to the occasion under pressure, boosted by the return of key players Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, and Alex Greenwood from injury.
“There’s been a lot of noise [this week], and the players wanted to put that to rest,” Johnson added.
“Press conference questions were relentless, and they will continue to be. They simply wanted to talk about football, and they made it all about the football.
“Mary [Earps] will be missed, but when you score six goals in such a manner, the conversation naturally shifts to the football and how outstanding England played.”
Aggie Beever-Jones is only the second female footballer to score an international hat-trick for England at Wembley, following Beth Mead.
“Aggie Beever-Jones is a baller,” Bardsley declared at full-time, praising the match-winner.
The Chelsea forward significantly improved her chances of Euro 2025 selection, prompting laughter from Wiegman when questioned.
“I think she played really well…” the Dutchwoman remarked with a smile.
“She’s a natural goalscorer. She scores goals effortlessly and expertly. She has such quick feet. She’s also incredibly composed on the ball, and she played with great relaxation.”
Teammate Kelly praised Beever-Jones’s impressive performance in an England shirt, while Bardsley described her as a “tricky” opponent.
Competition for a starting spot remains fierce, however.
Arsenal’s Alessia Russo watched from the bench, rested due to a minor calf injury, while Chelsea’s Lauren James is still recovering from injury.
Hemp impressed in her first England game since November’s knee surgery, Mead scored, and Kelly proved her value as a substitute.
“She really made a statement and staked her claim to Sarina Wiegman, demonstrating her starting potential at the Euros this summer,” Bardsley added about Beever-Jones.
“Knowing we have that weapon, whether she starts or comes off the bench, it’s reassuring to know she’s in Sarina Wiegman’s arsenal.”
Beever-Jones celebrated with her family and revealed the team signed the match ball as a memento.
Regardless of her role at the Euros, she’s prepared to make an impact.
“In football, it’s never a straight path. I’ve had to be patient within this setup, highlighting the team’s quality,” Beever-Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I seized the opportunity, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped me reach this point. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
“I wouldn’t trade the competition. Alessia [Russo] is an exceptional player; I learn so much from her and the entire forward line. Hopefully, I can contribute where needed.
“Whenever I play for England, I aim to give the right people the right selection dilemmas.”
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