England Women delivered a commanding performance in their final warm-up match before the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, thrashing Jamaica 7-0. Ella Toone shone brightly, scoring twice in the first half to set the Lionesses on their way to a comfortable victory. The match, played at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, served as a send-off for the team before they head to Switzerland to defend their European title.
Toone's two goals came after a year-long drought on the international stage, with her last goal dating back to February 2024 against Italy. Her first goal against Jamaica came within the first 10 minutes, a curling shot from the edge of the box. She poignantly kissed her hands and pointed to the sky in tribute to her father, who passed away in September. Her second goal came in first-half stoppage time, further solidifying England's lead. Between Toone's goals, Lucy Bronze also scored with a header from a Jess Carter cross.
The second half saw England continue their dominance, with goals from Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Beth Mead. Lauren James made her return from injury, providing an assist within minutes of coming on as a substitute.
While Jamaica managed to find the net in the first half through Kayla McKenna, the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside. The Reggae Girlz, who were missing Manchester City star Khadija Shaw, struggled to pose a threat to England's defense.
Ella Toone expressed her delight at scoring twice and her excitement for the upcoming EUROs. She acknowledged the competition for places in the squad but affirmed her commitment to giving her best for the team. Georgia Stanway echoed Toone's sentiments, expressing confidence and excitement ahead of the tournament.
England will face tougher challenges ahead as they begin their European Championship title defense against France in Zurich. However, the convincing win against Jamaica provided a confidence boost and a chance for Sarina Wiegman to assess her squad before the main event. Wiegman utilized her bench effectively, providing crucial minutes to players like James while also ensuring rest for others before their trip to Switzerland.
