ENGLAND delivered a ruthless performance to overwhelm Wales 6-1 on Saturday night (July 12), sealing their place at the top of Group D and cruising into the quarter-finals of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were in imperious form from the outset in St Gallen, with six goals from six different players underlining their attacking depth and dominance. The result sets up a quarter-final clash with Sweden on Thursday (July 17) in Zurich.
The Lionesses took control early through Georgia Stanway, who converted a 13th-minute penalty following a VAR-reviewed foul on the edge of the area. England doubled their lead just eight minutes later, when Ella Toone finished at the second attempt after a defensive error by Wales.
Lauren Hemp added a third with a clever header in the 30th minute, and Alessia Russo made it four shortly before half-time after combining neatly with her Manchester United teammate Toone.
England showed no signs of slowing in the second half. Beth Mead, the Golden Boot winner at Euro 2022, got on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute with a composed finish after a smart assist from Aggie Beever-Jones.
Wales pulled one back through Hannah Cain on 76 minutes, latching onto a sublime through ball from veteran Jess Fishlock before rifling past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
But England had the final say. Beever-Jones capped her impressive cameo in the 89th minute, rising to head home Mead’s cross at the back post and notch her first goal at a major international tournament.
Despite the scoreline, Wales fought hard and were backed by a passionate crowd, who erupted when Cain scored their only goal. However, England’s quality and depth proved overwhelming.
The win means England finish top of Group D and head into the knockouts full of confidence. But their path remains difficult, with defending champions Spain likely awaiting in the semi-finals should they progress.
For Wales, their campaign ends in disappointment, but they exit the tournament with their heads held high, having scored in every group match and shown moments of promise throughout.
