In a dominating performance at Euro 2025, England’s women’s football team, the Lionesses, defeated Wales 6-1, propelling them into the quarter-finals of the tournament. Ella Toone, a standout player in the match, confidently stated that their next opponents, Sweden, “should be scared.” The victory took place in St. Gallen, where England secured the second spot in Group D, trailing only behind France, who topped the group after defeating the Netherlands 5-2. This match not only confirmed England’s advancement but also sealed Wales’ fate, leaving them without a single point in the group stage.
Facing Group C winners Sweden in Zurich on Saturday, England’s players are aware of the challenge that lies ahead. Toone, who contributed significantly by scoring a goal and providing two assists, characterized the performance against Wales as “really good.” She elaborated on the challenges of playing against teams that adopt a defensive “low block” strategy but commended the team for their early strike in the first half that helped them take control of the game. As they look to extend their title defense, Toone voiced her thoughts on Sweden, noting, “I think they should be scared,” drawing attention to her confidence in England’s ability to perform under pressure.
Sweden has showcased their own prowess in the tournament, finishing first in Group C with an impressive victory over Germany, where they secured a 4-1 scoreline. England’s coach, Sarina Wiegman, reinforced Toone’s comments, acknowledging that the upcoming match against Sweden would be tough. She recognized the Scandinavian squad as “a hard team to beat,” attributing their strength to their consistent teamwork, speed during counter-attacks, and ability to perform well in crucial situations. Wiegman emphasized the need for her team to recover from the victory over Wales and prepare adequately for the challenges that Sweden presents.
Turning to the match against Wales, it was Georgia Stanway who set the tone early on by converting a penalty kick after being fouled inside the box. The swift succession of goals continued with Toone doubling the lead shortly thereafter and Lauren Hemp adding another with a deft header. The first half concluded with Alessia Russo scoring just before the halftime whistle, demonstrating England’s offensive dominance. Although Wales held out for a significant part of the second half, Beth Mead, introduced after the break, found the net to stretch the lead even further. Wales managed to score a consolation goal through Hannah Cain, marking their first appearance in a major tournament, but Aggie Beever-Jones restored the five-goal advantage, sealing the game in England’s favor.
Post-match, Wiegman expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their ability to dominate large portions of the game and their achievement of scoring six goals. The coach remarked on learning from previous experiences, particularly the urgency created by a loss in their opening match against France, which taught the team valuable lessons and brought them closer together. Her reflections underscored not only the triumph of this match but also the resilience and adaptability the team has shown throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead, the anticipation builds as England prepares to duel with Sweden—a matchup that promises to be exhilarating given both teams’ performances thus far. Fans will be eager to see whether the Lionesses can maintain their momentum and defend their Euro title against a formidable opponent.
