England are safely through to the knockout phase of this summer’s Women's Euro 2025, though face a tough test to defend their crown.
The Lionesses, who won the tournament for the first time in 2022, finished runners-up to France in Group D but sealed a quarter-final berth with ease thanks to a 6-1 thumping of Wales on matchday three.
This is after Sarina Wiegman saw her side begin the defence of their title in the worst possible fashion, losing comprehensively to Les Bleues.
However, they bounced back immediately to record a statement 4-0 win against Netherlands as Lauren James hit a brace and then finished the job against a fellow home nation on Sunday night.
Attentions now turn to the knockout phase as England are three wins away from claiming back-to-back Euro titles. Though, there is no margin for error as a repeat of the France performance will almost certainly result in elimination.
Next up for the Lionesses is a quarter-final tie against Sweden on Thursday.
The Swedes - who boast Arsenal's Champions League final winning goalscorer Stina Blackstenius in their ranks - won all three games in the group phase and topped the table thanks to 4-1 win over 2022 finalists Germany.
In terms of the head-to-head record, England are at a disadvantage having won just two of nine meetings. That said, they did win 4-0 three years ago at Bramall Lane to reach the Euro final.
Should England overcome Sweden a semi-final against the winner of the Norway vs Italy quarter-final tie would be their next challenge.
There are wide-ranging permutations as to who could await England in a potential final. On the opposite half of the draw are tournament favourites Spain - in what would be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final - as well as France and Germany.
The other potential finalists in Basel on July 27 are host nation Switzerland after they squeezed through ahead of Finland thanks to a 92nd minute equaliser from Riola Xhemaili.
