England's Lionesses Roar into Euro 2025 Quarter-Finals: A Path to Defend Their Title
A Rocky Start, but a Strong Finish
Despite a disheartening opening defeat to France, England's Lionesses have bounced back spectacularly to secure their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025. After a shaky start, expectations may have dipped, but the team quickly regained their momentum, thrashing the Netherlands 4-0 and demolishing Wales 6-1 to finish second in Group D.
Next Up: A Clash with Sweden
In the quarter-finals, England will face Sweden, who topped Group C. A crucial aspect of this matchup is that England's path now diverges from that of world champions Spain; the two sides can only meet if they both reach the final.
Group D Recap: England's Journey
As the final round of group matches approached, England found themselves in a precarious position, sitting second in Group D, trailing France by three points and level on points with third-placed Netherlands. To guarantee a top-two finish and a spot in the quarter-finals, they needed to match the Netherlands' result against France.
However, the Lionesses exceeded expectations, delivering a stunning performance against tournament debutants Wales, winning 6-1 in St Gallen. Goals from Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and Aggie Beever-Jones showcased England's attacking prowess. Meanwhile, in Basel, the Netherlands suffered a 5-2 defeat to France, resulting in their exit from the tournament. France clinched first place in the group with a perfect nine points from three matches.
Eyes on the Prize: England's Route to the Final
England and Sweden have a storied history in recent tournaments. The two sides met in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, where England triumphed 4-0 before going on to lift the trophy against Germany just five days later.
Should England overcome Sweden on 17 July, they will face either Norway or Italy in the semi-finals on 22 July. Both teams currently rank outside the world's top 10, presenting a favorable opportunity for the Lionesses to advance.
By finishing as group runners-up, England has strategically positioned themselves to avoid facing Germany or world champions Spain until the final in Basel on 27 July. Should they progress, potential opponents include France and hosts Switzerland.
A Title Defense in Sight
With their sights set firmly on defending their European crown, the Lionesses are poised for a thrilling knockout stage. As they prepare to face Sweden, the excitement builds for what promises to be an exhilarating match, with England determined to continue their quest for glory in Euro 2025.
