England vs Netherlands - 2025 Women's Euros RECAP: Lionesses deliver when it matters with Prince William watching on

Right, I've got to dash off.

I know, I know, it's still early in the reaction, but a certain PSG-Real Madrid blockbuster clash is calling me.

Before I go, though, how good was that?

The four-midable Lionesses. OK, not by best, but still, England were brilliant. That was just what they needed.

Lauren James set the tone, and the rest of them followed. They could have so easily scored more, but a brace from James, Georgia Stanway's strike, and Ella Toone's cool finish will do.

Now, I have to dash, but thank you so much for joining me. Tara!

'Pressure is for tyres!'

Pressure was a word used a lot in the build-up to this game. I mean, I used it countless times before kick-off in this very blog.

It was a sink or swim kind of day, and boy, can these women flow through the water.

They have just bounced back in some style.

The Netherlands are no slouch, they are one of the most threatening sides in the whole competition.

And well, England have just made them look like a joke of a side, and not the good kind.

That was the Lioness side we know and love.

Now, that is what you call a statement.

England haven't just beaten the Netherlands here, they have absolutely demolished them.

Nobody saw this coming after how they played against France, but the Lionesses have just shown why they are the reigning champs.

What a performance.

The nightmare is nearly over for the Netherlands, they still look stunned out there.

They have just three more minutes until they can race off and bury their heads in their hands in the dressing room.

Oh, I love that chant.

You know the song that goes, 'Du du du du du du du, Tequila'

Yep, I know... what a banger.

Well, the England fans are singing that but have replaced Tequila with Sarina, in honour of their head coach.

I love it.

Not another one?

Jeez, it's substitutions galore and now the Netherlands make their final one of the evening.

Damaris Egurrola gets a cheeky little cameo. Not a nice game to come into, mind.

There will be no goal for Alessia Russo.

What a shift the striker put in today, and now she gets a well-earned rest as Niamh Charles replaces her.

Meanwhile, Aggie Beever-Jones is on for her tournament debut as she comes on for Lucy Bronze.

What a moment for her.

Alessia Russo still can't get that goal.

She has three assists to her name, but she wants to find the back of the net.

The Arsenal striker once again has a decent chance, and her low drive looks to be heading for the corner.

But as has been the case all game, she is foiled by a good save.

The Netherlands are not going to go down without a fight, that's for sure.

They want to go out with a bang and Hannah Hampton nearly gifts them a goal as she fails to punch a cross clear.

The ball drops to Sherida Spitse and she drives the ball toward the near post, but Hampton manages to get up and across to save.

A good reaction.

It's just not going to go in for the Dutch today, is it?

Victoria Pelova shows off her dancing shoes as he gets past one, then another, in the area.

She then blasts a cross across the box, but none of her team-mates can get to it.

Great move that was screaming for a finish, but doesn't get one.

More changes from England.

Sarina Wiegman makes a double substitution as both Beth Mead and Grace Clinton are now on.

Lauren Hemp, who was brilliant today, and Ella Toone are the players being taken off.

They can be buzzing as they leave that pitch.

This could get even messier than it already is.

The Netherlands look shellshocked, they really don't know what has hit them here today.

England, however, are flying. This is exactly what they needed and they are hungry for more goals.

I wouldn't put it past them getting a fifth.

The stadium rises to applaud Lauren James.

The England winger has put on a show today and she now leaves the pitch to be replaced by Chloe Kelly.

No hat-trick today, but I'm sure she will get one soon, based on how she played there.

England are running riot!

As DJ Khaled says: 'Another one.' It's goals galore in Zurich, and Ella Toone puts this one beyond doubt.

The Lionesses break, and Alessia Russo drives them forward, finds Toone, and she slides the ball below Daphne van Domselaar.

Far too easy.

This says it all.

The Netherlands are resigned to defeat here.

How do I know that? Well, their star striker Vivianne Miedema has been hooked for Danielle van de Donk.

Time to rest some stars.

Sweet Caroline is being belted out again.

Even I, who is usually the ultimate professional (I swear), am bopping about to it now.

Sorry, not sorry.

Erm... how is that not a free kick?

Alessia Russo is cleaned out by Sherida Spitse, who looks guilty as hell.

But nope, apparently that doesn't warrant a foul according to this referee.

Signed, sealed, delivered.

Lauren James is at it yet again, and the Netherlands' brief little fightback has just been stamped on.

It's an absolute mess of a goal from the Dutch perspective, but James won't care as she benefits from some terrible defending.

The Netherlands just can't clear after Ella Toone sees an effort blocked, and James just strokes the ball into the back of the net.

Game over, surely.

OK, OK, this really is a lot better from the Netherlands.

England are being pushed back now and Chasity Grant is starting to look a real threat.

She clips a tantalising ball to the back post, which is screaming to be headed home.

But it evades everyone.

Oooft, what a challenge that is.

The Netherlands are starting to grow into the game again and are flowing forward with more regularity.

Chasity Grant does well to get some space down the right wing, but Jess Carter comes from nowhere to take the ball off her on the slide.

Lovely stuff.

Victoria Pelova, that's a poor decision.

She drives forward into the box after a loose pass from Kiera Walsh, and she has so many options.

But she chooses the worst one and shoots... I mean, a very silly choice.

Her low and tame effort does get a deflection wide, and saves her skin. But still, why doesn't she just pass?

Maybe I spoke too soon on the Netherlands.

That early bit of pressure has already dissipated, and England are hunting their third.

That disallowed goal will be annoying for them, but they are bound to get a heap more chances.

I feel another coming.

You have got to be kidding me...

Alessia Russo looks to finally have scored the goal she has been craving as she heads into the bottom corner.

It's one hell of a header, but then the flag goes up and celebrations turn to disappointment.

It just won't happen for her!

The Netherlands already look better here.

They are at least pressing forward in the early moments of the second half, which makes a change.

I imagine that the England defence will have a lot more work to do in this 45.

I mean, surely?

Right then, here we go again.

The Netherlands need something to change drastically, and they have decided to make a triple change.

Caitlin Dijkstra, Lineth Beerensteyn, and Sherida Spitse are on to replace Esmee Brugts, Veerle Buurman and Jill Roord.

Can they make a comeback?

Steph Houghton, former England captain, on BBC ONE:

Want to see how England got this party started? Of course you do.

The Lionesses came out of the blocks all guns blazing, and it always felt as though the opener was coming.

And boy, oh boy, what an opener it was.

Lauren James always looks like she's shaping up to belt one into the top left corner, but then she goes for the right.

What a goal it was.

What a half of football from England.

The Lionesses are answering back to their critics here in Zurich, which was near perfection.

It has been a true battering and they could easily have netted four or five, maybe more.

But Georgia Stanway's strike on the stroke of half-time to double their lead will do, England have their cushion.

Job half done.

WOW!

Now England can relax. What a goal that is from Georgia Stanway to double the Lionesses' lead.

The ball breaks for the midfielder on the edge of the box, and she rifles it into the bottom corner.

What a time to score it, on the stroke of half-time.

How are the Netherlands only a goal down?

I really don't get it, they are hanging on by a thread in this game.

Georgia Stanway pulls the trigger from the edge of the area, but a deflection takes the sting out of the effort and it does no damage.

Moments later, Lauren James is away on the counter, but her effort is blocked.

It's a siege on the Dutch goal.

This is getting silly, it really is.

I feel like I am watching the same move over and over again, but the Netherlands aren't catching on.

Another cross flies into Alessia Russo, and she, of course, gets her head on it.

But yet again, she can't find the back of the net, and her header goes wide.

How many chances are going to be missed???

My word, it's crosses galore.

I have lost count of just how many balls have been whipped into the Netherlands' box, but almost every single one is causing problems.

Yet again, the ball is plopped onto the head of Alessia Russo, and this time, she gets her effort on target.

But still no luck for the striker, as it's palmed away and Lauren James can't follow up.

It just won't go in for her.

Another chance for England, but again it goes begging.

Guess what? That's right, it comes from a cross, but this time Lauren Hemp gets on the end of it.

She does all she can to use those neck muscles and flick the ball toward the top corner, but it dips over the bar.

Close, but no cigar.

Do the Netherlands know that they are allowed to attack?

Honestly, it's almost like they have forgotten how to move the ball forward. In fact, it's like they have forgotten they actually need the ball to score.

They just can't get near it.

Alessia Russo just can't get that goal.

Once again, the ball looks set to drop to her in the box, but she is foiled as she pulls the trigger.

She walks away a little miffed.

One will fall for her eventually, and she will belt it in. I just have a feeling.

England really are playing some lovely stuff here.

Kiera Walsh does brilliantly to work the ball into the path of Alessia Russo with a reverse pass.

It looks like the striker is through, but she just gets pushed wider than she would like and slides the ball tamely wide.

The build-up play, though, superb.

England really are having a field day.

Every time they go forward, you just think they are going to score, and they are already at it again.

This is exactly the start they needed, and now they will be desperate to get a cushion.

Take a bow, Lauren James!

Wowzers, that is some finish from the winger to score the goal that the Lionesses were craving.

It all starts with a simply ridiculous pass from Hannah Hampton, who arrows the ball through the whole of the Netherlands team with the outside of her boot to send Alessia Russo through.

Russo finds James, who looks to arc the ball toward the far corner, but opts for the near one and bends the ball beautifully into it.

One hell of a goal, and fully deserved.

The Netherlands just can't get the ball here, it's mad.

England are just stroking it around them as if there are no orange shirts even on the pitch.

The Dutch are looking desperate as they chase shadows. They haven't even had a shot yet.

Still, it's only 0-0.

It's all England right now.

They have all the ball and are just creating wave and waves of attacks. It's one-way traffic.

You feel they need to find a goal soon to make this pressure count, or it will be France 2.0.

No English person wants that, I don't think. If you do, then that's odd.

Ooooft, that is some hit.

Lauren Hemp goes down in a heap in the penalty box and the England fans call for a penalty.

But there is no chance that's a pen, it's just a shoulder-to-shoulder that Hemp loses out on.

She has some treatment and is OK to continue.

How is it not 1-0?

I can't believe it, and neither can Alessia Russo. She simply has to score, but she heads wide. Massive miss.

Lauren Hemp is ripping the Netherlands apart and she plops a brilliant cross on the head of Russo, who is just six yards out.

You just think the ball is destined for the net, but somehow Russo heads wide when you would normally put your money on her scoring.

Just how much will she rue that moment?

Now that is a warning shot.

Here I am eulogising about England's start, and the Netherlands very nearly go up the other end and shut me up.

Chasity Grant races down the right on the counter, pulls the ball back for Vivianne Miedema, and you just think the net is about to ripple.

But Leah Williamson does well to put off her former club team-mate, and the ball gets away from the striker. A let-off for England.

What a crazy start.

Ohh, that's a chance... a real chance.

England really have come flying out of the traps here; they want to make a statement early doors.

Lauren Hemp does brilliantly well to fashion a cross to the back post where her namesake Lauren James is lurking.

But the Chelsea forward just can't find the target with her head.

A petition to make 'Sweet Caroline' the national anthem of England.

I mean, come on, it basically is.

The England fans are currently belting it out while banging a drum as they watch their side put the pressure on early here.

I have a friend who adores this song, so if he is watching this game, I'm sure he is singing too.

You feel England need a fast start here.

They just need to shake off those cobwebs and show what they are all about. Nobody wants a nervy one, do they?

Speaking of nervy, Alessia Russo very nearly gets on the end of a dodgy backpass, but the whistle goes for a foul, and even if she did get to the ball, it wouldn't have mattered.

A bright start...

How are the nerves?

Both teams have their final huddles before taking their positions ahead of kick-off.

Then comes the countdown, and off we go in what is a mammoth game for England.

It's do or die.

Jeez, you can just feel the tension in this stadium.

The players emerge from the tunnel, and you can see the focus on all of the Lionesses' faces. They know just how big this is.

Meanwhile, the Dutch fans who are all drenched in their orange kits are waving their flags about and are having one hell of a time.

And here come the national anthems.

The Netherlands are first, and I have to say, it's more of a bop than most people give it credit for.

And then it's England's turn. As per, both the players, staff, and fans belt it out beautifully.

It's nearly go-time.

As if the pressure wasn't high enough already, Prince William is in the crowd to cheer on the Lionesses.

I mean, we know how much he loves his footie, so he was never going to miss a game like this.

Can't wait to see those snaps of him cheering at the top of his lungs.

Everybody reading this, drop what you are doing. Drop everything.

Why?

Well, it's nearly game time, we can't have you all being distracted now.

England have just wrapped up their warm-up, and I imagine Sarina Wiegman is trying to tell them in some sort of fancy way to just go out and win.

In 10 minutes time, their biggest match in two years begins.

Ellen White, former England striker, speaking on BBC ONE:

How excited are we all?

Both teams are out warming up, so this is the point when anticipation for the game goes through the roof. So yeah, you should be excited.

Well, I know I am.

Sarina Wiegman, however, is just locking in on her players, watching intently as they prepare for the big game.

I wonder what is going through her head.

Guys, I have just seen Georgia Stanway come out to warm up, and boy, does she look full of energy.

Pumped is what I would call her. She's well up for this.

I think I know why, too. Nope, not just because England's lives are on the line. It's most likely because she would have downed a CELSIUS drink before getting out there.

The energy drink has just launched in the UK for the very first time, so you will be able to get your own now from retailers such as Tesco, and be like Stanway.

Speaking about the drink, Stanway said: 'Football is a high-tempo game, you need to stay sharp for 90 minutes and even into extra time. CELSIUS gives me the energy I need to help me focus, dig deeper, and fight fatigue so I can perform at my best—whether I’m on the pitch for club or country, or just pushing myself in the gym.'

Karen Bardsley, former England goalkeeper, on BBC Radio 5 Live:

The Dutch really do know how to follow their side.

We saw just how brilliant they were backing the men's side in Germany last year, and as you can see, they are delivering once again in Switzerland.

I wonder if we will see any videos of 'The bounce'. Yep, you know exactly what I'm on about.

I'm sure we will at some point.

England simply can't lose today; it will be an embarrassment.

No reigning women's Euros champions has ever been knocked out in the group stages.

If England lose today, they will be the very first.

In fact, only two previous winners have failed to get to the semi-final stage in the tournament after lifting the trophy.

Guess who they are?

That's right, one of them was the Netherlands. And the other? Well, that was Germany back in 2017.

England will not want to be on the wrong side of history.

Now that is what you call a team.

I imagine the big name that you will all recognise is Vivianne Miedema, who bangs goals in for Manchester City in the club game.

She's the one that the England back line should, and will, be afraid of.

Just the ONE change then.

Not going to lie, I thought Sarina Wiegman would make a few more than that. But as we all know, she knows best, right?

Ella Toone comes in for Beth Mead as the only change from the side that lost to France in the opening game.

Can this team do the job?

Right then, I reckon I should let you know what the teams are, shouldn't I?

Well, I am going to be a tease first.

Do you think Sarina Wiegman will have made any changes? I mean, surely she will do so after the result of the opening game.

But how many? One? two? Five?

You're about to find out...

Sarina Wiegman, Lionesses boss, speaking on Tuesday:

'Pressure, pushing down on me, pressing down on you, no man ask for.

'Under pressure.'

You know the song, it's a classic, one we have all sung countless times, I'm sure. You don't get many better collabs than Queen and Bowie, do ya?

Now, this track instantly came into my head when I started preparing to cover this game. Why? Well, it's exactly what the Lionesses are... under pressure.

You could see it weighing them down in their opening game against France; it was on their shoulders, and they couldn't handle it.

This Euros is completely different from three years ago. Nobody expected them to win it in 2022; they could play with freedom, express themselves. That led to incredible results, and of course, the trophy.

This time it's different; these players are celebrities in their own right, and the expectation for them to retain their crown is massive.

They need to find a way to deal with that tonight, or they will be gone.

Now this is what we call a biggie, a real biggie.

It's do or die, kill or be killed, make-or-break, sink or swim for Sarina Wiegmen's Lionesses. Lose today and the defending champions will be out of the Euros at the very first hurdle.

Hard to imagine, I know, but it's possible.

After losing to France in the opening game of the tournament, England have to now avoid defeat against the Netherlands this evening in order to have a fighting chance of qualification.

I mean, they couldn't have picked many tougher opponents to go up against when fighting for their lives, really. This is going to be a real scrap, which will be entertaining as hell, whatever the outcome.

So sit back, relax, and get ready for fireworks in Switzerland.