Match Report: England V Wales

England are through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 after a commanding 6-1 victory over Wales in their final Group D match. With all four teams in the group still in contention for a place in the knockout stages, the stakes couldn’t have been higher heading into this decisive clash. An England vs Wales showdown is always intense—two neighbouring nations, battling it out with pride on the line—but with qualification on the line, the pressure was palpable. England aimed to replicate the intensity they showed in their win over the Netherlands, while Wales were determined to prove they could hold their own and spoil England’s momentum. 

📸via The Independent

England kicked off and immediately imposed themselves on the game, showcasing sharp passing, dangerous crosses, and early efforts on goal. A pivotal moment came early on when Carrie Jones conceded a penalty—an unfortunate blow for Wales, especially this early on in the match. Georgia Stanway stepped up and coolly slotted home in the 13th minute, giving England an early lead. 

That goal sparked England into life. Their dominance soon turned into a quick concession of goals: Ella Toone struck in the 21st minute, Lauren Hemp followed in the 30th, and Alessia Russo added a fourth just before halftime in the 44th minute. England went into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead, having dominated possession and exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of a deflated Welsh side. 

Both teams made changes ahead of the second half—England rotating to rest key players ahead of the knockout stage, and Wales hoping to regain a foothold in the match. The second half saw a slight improvement from Wales, who enjoyed more possession and created a few chances. But England remained clinical, and Beth Mead extended the lead to 5-0 in the 72nd minute. 

To their credit, Wales responded swiftly. Jess Fishlock delivered a superb assist to Hannah Cain, who scored in the 76th minute to give the Welsh fans something to celebrate. However, England weren’t finished and in the final moments of the match, Aggie Beever-Jones marked her major tournament debut with a goal, sealing a 6-1 victory. 

Despite the heavy defeat and the disappointment of an early exit, Wales can take great pride in their tournament; reaching their first-ever Euros and scoring against two tough opponents is a historic achievement for the team. As for England, after a shaky start with a loss in their opening game, they bounced back with two excellent wins. Finishing second in Group D, they now look ahead to a quarter-final showdown against Sweden in Zurich on Thursday night.