England's Lionesses delivered a commanding performance in their final match before heading to Switzerland for the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, defeating Jamaica 7-0 at Leicester's King Power Stadium. The victory served as a confidence booster and a statement of intent to their rivals ahead of the tournament.
Ella Toone scored twice, while Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Beth Mead each contributed a goal to the resounding win. Lauren James made her return from a hamstring injury, adding to the positive atmosphere.
Manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their attacking prowess and the high number of goals scored. She acknowledged that there were still areas for improvement, such as maintaining composure in the final third, but overall, she was pleased with the display. Wiegman also recognized that Jamaica was missing key players, which impacted their performance.
The match wasn't without its nervous moments for England. Shortly after Toone's opening goal, Jamaica thought they had equalized, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review. Despite the comfortable final scoreline, this incident served as a reminder of the need for defensive discipline.
Lauren James' return to the pitch was a significant boost for England. The Chelsea forward had been sidelined since April with a hamstring injury. Wiegman managed her minutes carefully, bringing her on as a substitute in the second half. James' teammate Jess Carter expressed her excitement about James' return, noting that she looked "fresh, so sharp, and she really impacts the game and the team".
The Lionesses will begin their Euro 2025 campaign against France in Zurich on July 5th. They are in a challenging group that also includes the Netherlands and Wales. Despite the tough competition, England enters the tournament as one of the favorites, with many expecting them to make a deep run.
Prior to the match, fans had the opportunity to celebrate the Lionesses send off with photo opportunities with the 2022 UEFA Women's EURO trophy and Arsenal's 2025 UEFA Women's Champions League trophy. After the match, fans were encouraged to stay and give the Lionesses a memorable send-off.
Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway expressed their excitement and confidence heading into the EUROs after the Jamaica win. Toone, who scored twice in the match, said she had been waiting for another goal in an England shirt and was happy with the team's performance. Stanway highlighted the talent and excitement within the squad, emphasizing their commitment to giving their all in each game.
While England enters Euro 2025 as defending champions, the squad has seen some changes since their 2022 triumph. Key players like Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired, while Millie Bright is out due to burnout. However, the team still boasts a wealth of experience and talent, with players like Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh.
