England impressively averted the impending end of Women’s European Championships in Switzerland. The defending champions prevailed 4-0 (2-0) against the Dutch in Zurich on Wednesday evening.
The English women did not show at all from the kick-off after the opening defeat against France (1: 2) on them. With a strong team performance, fast forward game with your own ball possession and a large dominance in midfield, they did not give the Dutch women overwhelmed over long distances.
Lauren James with a double pack (22nd, 60th), Georgia Stanway (45.+2) and Ella Toone (67th) scored for the team of the Dutch trainer Sarina Wiegman. The fans delivered the best performance in “Oranje”, who also created the mood in the stadium in the final phase.
England has Quarter-finals in -house
Both teams have three points on the account in preliminary round group D on Sunday before the final third matchday – and thus further the chance to achieve the quarter -finals. This applies regardless of how France plays against Wales (9 p.m., in the live ticker at Sportschau.de) this evening.
The better cards now have the English women who play against the EM debutants from Wales on Sunday. The Netherlands then meets France in the parallel game. England could be the second in group D the quarter-final opponent of the DFB team if the team of coach Christian Wück is the first to complete Group C.
One change in the starting eleven
After the disappointing EM start at 1-2 against France, England’s trainer Sarina Wiegman reacted in the game for her team, which was called “final” for her team with a change in the starting eleven, which should pay off: Ella Toone replaced offensive player Beth Mead, the top scorer of the European Championship 2022. Had played out. At first, this did not lead to Mead’s duel with her friend Vivianne Miedema on the part of the Dutch.
At “Oranje” it left coach Andries Jonker, whose contract at the Dutch Football Association KNVB ends after the European Championship, also except for a position in the starting line-up from the Wales game (3: 0). Chasity Grant was used for the battered midfielder Danielle van den Donk from the start.
Netherlands finds against England offensive no access
Both teams acted in their proven offensive 4-3-3 system-and both were trying from the start to put the stamp on the game with their own possession of the ball. It was better at the beginning of the “Three Lionesses” – especially over the wings. A first conclusion between Lauren James (4th) by head after a left flank flew far past the goal.
The mini chance was the starting signal for a one-sided first round. In front of 22,500 spectators in the legendary and sold -out Zuricher Letzigrund, it was usually only towards the Dutch goal. The Jonker team did not find any correct access in the duels, the pressing attempts were levered out by England with long balls and fast play over the wings.
Lauren James meets 1-0 to be seen as well
The English women were patient and remained even after a forgiven header of Alessia Russo (9th) on the trigger. After the first 15 minutes, England had a good 60 percent possession, but the Dutch, on the other hand, did not find their line. The European champions from 2022 pressed high and intensive, hardly gave the Jonker protégés to check the ball. The Netherlands stuck on the defensive and could not put an accents forward.
In the 22nd minute, the English were rewarded for their effort and the dominant game with the leadership. They caught the entire Dutch eleven on the wrong foot: Keeper Hannah Hampton hit the ball into the top on Russo, who pulled to the right and served the James passed. The surprised Dutch defensive had the striker of Chelsea FC pulled inside. The “thanks” was a remarkable left shot from 16 meters in the top right into the corner – Prince William was also enthusiastic in the stands.
Stanway increases before the break
England withdrew a little afterwards, but the Netherlands could not use this for significantly more play shares. More than a harmless conclusion from Jill Roord (26th) did not jump out. The “Oranje” building game remained too inaccurate overall, many ball losses were the result. The English women offered large freedom in midfield, so that they always caused great danger with quick wing game. Hemp (36.) and Russo (38th, 42nd) came to further header opportunities.
The confused Dutchman was also thanks to the fact that a calming 2-0 lead went into the break: Esmee Brugs fought too short in the penalty area, so that Georgia Stanway scored centrally from 20 meters at the bottom left (45.+2). The leadership of the “Three Lionesses” for the break was well deserved at 12: 1.
Var takes Russo hits back
The reaction of Netherlands coach Jonker did not surprise: with Sherida top for Veerle Buurman and Caitlin Dijkstra for Brugs, two fresh forces came into play.
Before the new players could have set accents, it suddenly stood by 3-0 for England after a Russo header (50th). However, the hit was withdrawn by the Var due to an offside position in the origin.
“Oranje” completely overwhelmed
Anyone who afterwards hoped for a visible and offensive reaction of the Dutch to the deficit waited in vain. True to the “Oranje” fan march motto “Naar left, naar on the right”, the protégés of coach Jonker played the ball without haphazard over the lawn-and far too often into the feet of the opponents. The Dutchman looked hopelessly overwhelmed with the “England” task.
In the stadium, the fans of the “Three Lionesses” finally took command after the quickly following 3: 0 of the English: Hemp had an effortlessly prepared for a passive defensive and James made an effortlessly after a blocked toon shot from eight meters (60th). The double packer celebrated with her teammates and a little later the goal from Toone to 4: 0 (67th). In the final phase, the English women took it easy, changed a few times – and left the possible 5: 0 with Russo (82.).