Victory never looked in doubt for Sarina Wiegman's side once Georgia Stanway had broken the deadlock, with their European title defence still intact
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England ensured their European title defence will go on as a ruthless 6-1 win over Wales on Sunday secured the Lionesses' place in the quarter-finals at Euro 2025, where they will face Sweden after finishing second to France in Group D. Sarina Wiegman's side knew that they had to beat their neighbours in St. Gallen in order to book their ticket for the knockout stages, and once Georgia Stanway broke the deadlock on 13 minutes, the three points seldom seemed in doubt.
That opener did come in controversial circumstances, with Carrie Jones deemed to have tripped Stanway in the penalty area. Once VAR intervened, there was little doubt about the location, but certainly some about the severity of the touch from the Wales forward. England had no such complaints, with the Bayern Munich midfielder converting from the spot to dampen the spirits of the underdogs, who had started well.
From there, it was one-way traffic. Ella Toone made it two after 21 minutes and went on to assist the next couple in an electric first-half performance, with her terrific cross to Lauren Hemp and accurate cut-back to Alessia Russo both converted. That clinical touch allowed Wiegman to make plenty of early subs with a quarter-final berth secured, too, and it was two of those introduced who put the gloss on things, as Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones combined twice to get their names on the scoresheet.
There was also time for Wales to enjoy another memorable moment at their first major tournament, as Jess Fishlock punished England in transition late on with a great run and pass that was only enhanced by Hannah Cain's finish on the end of it. Despite the scoreline, it was a strike that produced perhaps the loudest roar of the day, owing to the incredible support the Dragons have had in Switzerland. But that was their final action of this historic summer, with them bowing out at the group stages. For England, focus now turns to the last eight and a meeting with Sweden on Thursday.
GOAL rates the Lionesses' players from the Kybunpark…
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Hannah Hampton (6/10):
Rarely put a foot wrong, bar a sloppy pass in the first half that granted Wales a chance, though didn't have tons to do.
Lucy Bronze (7/10):
Dominant in her aerial duels and reliable in possession.
Leah Williamson (8/10):
Her best performance of the tournament yet, with there plenty to like about how she sprayed the ball around.
Jess Carter (6/10):
Had a couple of iffy moments but usually recovered well to make amends when they occurred.
Alex Greenwood (7/10):
Was influential in possession and delivered great set-pieces.
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Keira Walsh (8/10):
A really classy display in which her incredible vision and execution of passes stood out time and time again.
Georgia Stanway (7/10):
A tad sloppy on the ball at times but battled well, brought plenty of energy and took a good penalty to get the ball rolling.
Ella Toone (9/10):
Was sensational in the first half, producing two assists and finding the back of the net herself. Subbed off at the break, with her sure to start the quarter-final.
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Lauren James (8/10):
Another lovely performance in which Wales just could not deal with her.
Alessia Russo (7/10):
Finally got her well-deserved first goal of the tournament. Was good in her physical battles and off-ball movement.
Lauren Hemp (8/10):
A constant threat down the left in the first half, creating a couple of good chances and getting a goal before being subbed off at half-time to rest up.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Jess Park (6/10):
Came on at half-time for her major tournament debut and was so close to marking it with a goal, but for a fine fingertip save by Clark. Brought energy and was good on the ball.
Beth Mead (8/10):
Having lost her place in the XI, she got a chance to make an impact as a sub in the second half and did so with a superbly taken goal. Great cross for Beever-Jones' header, too.
Chloe Kelly (6/10):
Delivered some teasing crosses but wasn't hugely involved.
Aggie Beever-Jones (8/10):
Another major tournament debutante just before the hour, she showed good awareness to tee up Mead for the fifth and got her own name on the scoresheet not long after.
Niamh Charles (N/A):
A late sub to give Bronze some rest.
Sarina Wiegman (7/10):
Stuck with the XI that delivered against the Netherlands and they did so again, while the impact of those coming off the bench will be massively encouraging. England have had their issues in that department in the last couple of years, but this win suggested those fortunes could be improving.
