Our day eight EURO 2025 recap is here and what a day of thrills and spills it was. The Lionesses prevailed in the Sarina Wiegman derby stunning their Oranje namesakes 4-0 while table toppers France dismantled Wales 4-1.
Lionesses bounce back to knock the Dutch to the canvass
A 4-0 win was just what was required for England after a chastening defeat for the reigning champions on match day one. The England camp was reportedly calm in the hours leading up to the match. Michelle Agyeman, Lucy Bronze and Maya Le Tissier enjoyed a jigsaw puzzle yesterday morning at base camp. That calmness exuded onto the pitch also, even before the match with Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood warming up together as a red herring for Wiegman’s old side. Immediately after kick off it was apparent that Greenwood was playing at left back and Jess Carter moved to centre back.
Once the game kicked off England were confident and took the lead through a magical act of Lauren James brilliance. After a perfect through ball from Hannah Hampton, Alessia Russo laid off James who cut inside and struck the ball into the corner. 1-0 to England. Before half time England had doubled their lead after an excellent finish from Georgia Stanway. Even an intervention from VAR to deny Russo what would have been a deserved goal could not dampen the English spirit this time. James nabbed her second of the afternoon shortly after, in rather simpler fashion than she had her first. Before Ella Toone scored a wonderful fourth and emotionally pointed to the skies in honour of her late father.
It was a disaster for Netherlands who looked far from their free flowing best they exhibited in the second half against Wales. Only a 3-0 victory over France in the final match will give them a hope of progression should England beat Wales. England themselves on the other hand know that victory against Wales will be enough to make the quarter finals.
Did you know? Alessia Russo became the first player in EUROs history to get three assists in one match yesterday.
Wales on the brink as rotated France don’t blink
For just a short moment on Wednesday night after Wales had drawn level against France it looked like they could do the unthinkable. It was a fitting moment in the history of this Welsh team who have made the unthinkable, possible for their red wall of loyal support. It was the greatest Welsh player to ever don the shirt that scored their first ever goal at a major tournament. Jess Fishlock, on her 162nd cap, scored her 47th goal for her nation, she will score few more meaningful. Fishlock became the oldest player to score in EUROs history, another history breaking stat for the Red Wall to boast.
Sadly reality would strike a near fatal blow to Wales’ EURO 2025 hopes as France roared back to win 4-1. Les Bleues started with a heavily rotated line up and took the lead through Clara Mateo in the eight minute, before Kadidiatou Diani responded to Fishlock’s equaliser from the penalty spot. Amel Majri and captain for the night Grace Geyoro added the extras. There was a beautiful moment before the final whistle blew when another Welsh stalwart, who has not played football for over a year due to injury came off the bench for Fishlock, Sophie Ingle. Perhaps the loudest ovation on record for both the player being withdrawn and the one introduced.
Wales must now beat England 4-0 and hope that France beat Netherlands to secure a place in the next round. Just in case that did not already feel like a daunting task, Wales have never beaten England in a competitive fixture.
Did you know? 19 years ago Jess Fishlock made her debut for Wales in Switzerland, fittingly, she has now scored their first ever major tournament goal in the same country.
The Halfway OnLine
Didn’t it just.
It had to be her 👑 pic.twitter.com/T4hY0sU2st
— TheWelshDragon 🏴🐉 (@TheWelshDragon9) July 9, 2025
Well it has been nice knowing you @FantasyEuros
when you have to tweet that Russo didn’t get bonus points pic.twitter.com/Swjzc7OuQg
— Fantasy WEURO | Fantasy WSL (@playfantasywsl) July 9, 2025
Want to know how your favourite Barclays Women’s Super League players are getting on in the tournament this summer? The good people at WSL Analytics have you covered.
🚨 WSL @ EUROs – Day 8 | 9 July
30 #WSL stars featured as 🇬🇧 England cruised past 🇳🇱 Netherlands 4–0, and 🇫🇷 France beat 🏴 Wales 4–1.
⏱️ 1 840 combined minutes | ⚽️ 3 goals | 🅰️ 4 assists | 🟨 2 yellowsClub mix & the updated WSL player leaderboard ⬇️#WEURO2025… pic.twitter.com/eDtwhLFOwj
— WSL Analytics (@WSLAnalytics) July 9, 2025
Ann-Katrin Baller am I right?! I’ll see myself out.
https://t.co/74fACucIE5 pic.twitter.com/4aPspnflTA
— Paula (@tliiasaw13) July 9, 2025
You can read all of the latest news, analysis and opinion at Euro 2025 on The Halfway Line.
