Lauren James shines as England thrashes Netherlands 4-0 to revive Euro title defense

By Canadian Press on July 9, 2025.

ZURICH (AP) — England got the defense of its Women’s European Championship title firmly back on track with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday, thanks to a Lauren James double.

James showed precisely why she had been selected despite not having played for more than two months when the squad was announced in June because of injury. The Chelsea forward was at the heart of England’s attacks and scored a sumptuous opener in the 22nd minute before netting her side’s third on the hour mark.

Georgia Stanway doubled England’s lead on the stroke of halftime and Ella Toone wrapped up the result in the 67th.

It was a far more positive performance from the Lionesses than against France, when they became the first titleholders to lose their opening match at a women’s Euros.

The manner of that defeat was as disappointing as the result, which left England facing possible elimination if it lost to the Netherlands and France avoided a shock defeat against Wales later Wednesday

The Netherlands beat Wales 3-0 in their opener.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Daniella Matar, The Associated Press