‘Unplayable’ Lauren James given 9/10 as seven Lionesses dazzle in Euro 2025 mauling
England are three wins away from defending their European crown as they romped to a 6-1 mauling of Wales.
The win ensured England finished second in Group D behind France as they will now face Sweden in the quarter-finals, with the clash scheduled for July 17 in Zurich.
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The Lionesses were at their brilliant best in their final Group D encounterCredit: DeFodi via GettyGeorgia Stanway kickstarted the rout in the 13th minute when she netted from the penalty spot after she was fouled inside the box by Wales’ Carrie Jones.
Ella Toone doubled England’s advantage eight minutes later amid a comedy of errors at the back from Wales.
Toone was initially denied by a superb goal line block by Welsh defender Lily Woodham but made no mistake with the rebound.
The Manchester United star then turned provider for England’s third, as her cross from the right was nodded in by Lauren Hemp.
Read more Euro 2025 newsToone bagged her second assist on the stroke of half-time when her cut-back was coolly slotted home by Alessia Russo, who was yet to register a goal at Euro 2025 going into the contest.
Substitute Beth Mead scored England’s fifth via some fancy footwork inside the box, as she sent Wales’ Josie Green the wrong way before slamming the ball into the net.
Wales nabbed a consolation in the 76th minute via Hannah Cain after she was slipped in via Jess Fishlock, who had embarked on a driving run forward that began in her own half.
But the Lionesses would have the final say via a close-range header from Aggie Beever-Jones two minutes from full-time.
talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham was on hand to watch the Lionesses find their roar against Wales as he runs the rule over every player’s performance in his player ratings.
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Despite losing their opener, England finished with the best goal difference’She is BACK’Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had little to do all evening, but was unable to keep out Cain’s rocket from inside the box.
Durham awarded Hampton a 7 as he praised her ‘impressive’ distribution.
The entire defensive unit of Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Lucy Bronze and skipper Leah Williamson all earned scores of 7 from Durham.
Aside from Cain’s goal, the quartet ran a tight ship against the Welsh as the Group D underdogs registered just two shots on target all night.
Durham had much higher praise for the midfield trio of Stanway, Toone and Keira Walsh, who were all awarded a score of 8.
On Stanway, Durham emphatically declared: “Georgia is BACK.”
Durham added Walsh ‘drove us forward’, as her forays and slick passing helped the Lionesses dominate across the pitch.
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James did everything but score in a scintillating display against WalesCredit: DeFodi via Getty’One of the most stunning halves from any Lioness ever’But Durham reserved his best for the attacking unit of Hemp, Russo and Lauren James.
James did everything but score against the Welsh in a performance Durham could not stop raving about.
“She was unplayable, one of the most stunning 45 minutes from any Lioness player ever,” Durham said of the Chelsea star’s 9/10 performance.
Russo, who also received a 9, ‘got the goal she deserved and led the press superbly’, according to Durham.
Read More on talkSPORTDurham described Hemp, who scored an 8, as ‘getting back to her very best’.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was awarded a 9, as Durham hailed her for getting valuable minutes and goals from her substitutes, who all registered a 7/10.
Adrian Durham’s Lionesses player ratings
Hannah Hampton – 7
Lucy Bronze – 7
Leah Williamson – 7
Jess Carter – 7
Alex Greenwood – 7
Georgia Stanway – 8
Keira Walsh – 8
Ella Toone – 8
Lauren James – 9
Lauren Hemp – 8
Alessia Russo – 9
Aggie Beever-Jones – 7
Beth Mead – 7
Chloe Kelly – 7
Jess Park – 7
Sarina Wiegman – 9
