England were back to their scintillating selves as they swatted the Netherlands aside and forgot all about their opening-day defeat to France.
The defending champions returned to the Stadion Letizgrund in Zurich after a 2-1 loss to Les Bleues on matchday one of their European Championships title defence, and players and manager alike bemoaned the Lionesses’ performance.
Concerns and worries were high as they took on the in-form Dutch in their second Group D fixture, with Andries Jonker’s side topping the table after an impressive 3-0 win over Wales.
However, England ripped up the form book, and decimated their opponents with a devastating display.
Wiegman made just the one change to the side that were beaten by France, with Beth Mead dropped for Ella Toone, who moved into the No10 hole, while Lauren James shifted to the right-wing berth.
The tactical tweak worked a treat. James was the two-goal hero, notching a superb left-footed effort on 22 minutes, before doubling her tally on the hour after the ball richocheted kindly into her path, with both Alessia Russo and Ella Toone having swipes from the Lauren Hemp delivery.
Georgia Stanway made it two on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken half-volley that nestled into the corner of Daphne van Domselaar’s net, and Toone got in on the act on 67 minutes, as she worked a yard of space to snap off a left-footed effort that squeezed in.
It is a statement victory for England, who could so easily have been embarrassingly knocked out this evening had they lost and France beaten Wales.
However, that is not the case, and they take on their fellow Home Nation on matchday three in a far stronger position, knowing that their fate is well and truly in their own hands, supplemented by a much healthier goal difference.
