England sent a real statement of their credentials at Euro 2022 thrashing the current Netherlands 5-1 in Leeds.
In front of 19,000 fans on a rough Elland Road, the Lions had found themselves in a strange situation as they stepped back under Sarina Weigman, while Lieke Martens headed the Dutch ahead from a corner in the middle of the opening period. .
But Lucy Bronze’s cross reached the level of England before the break, before a spectacular start to the second half.
Within a minute, Sherida Spitse missed a penalty for the Dutch after Alex Greenwood knocked down substitute Danielle van de Donk, before substitute Beth Mead sank a cross from the stunning Lauren Hemp, who came to life later in the middle.
Image: Lynn Wilms from the Netherlands challenges Englishman Fran Kirby
Hemp set up Ella Toone, who scored a third, before the Manchester City winger hit home from close range for the Lions ’fourth. Mead took advantage of the more questionable Dutch defense by spinning and spinning in the box, before adding a fifth.
With star striker Ellen White missing due to the coronavirus, much of the focus was on whether Hemp could star in the Lions ’main influence up front, and was last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year who showed more intention in the early stages.
Hemp headed a cross from Fran Kirby from outside in the first exchanges of the match, before scoring a strange goal when he closed the front point of Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, but the rebound bounced off little.
Classifications of the parties of England
- England: Earps 7; Bronze 7, Bright 6, Greenwood 5, Daly 6; Williamson (c) 7, Walsh 6; Kelly 6, Kirby 7, Hemp 9; England 6
- Substitutions: Mead 8 (for Kelly, h / t), Stanway 6 (for Greenwood 63), Toone 7 (for Kirby 63), Russo 6 (for England 63), Carter 6 (for Daly 75), Parris n / a for hemp 81)
- Unused substitutes: Stokes, Hampton, Wubben-Moy, Scott, Roebuck
- Match Player: Lauren Hemp (England)
- Attendance: 19,365
At the other end, Lions goalkeeper Mary Earps made a great stop from close range to deny Lineth Beerensteyn, who reached the end of Jill Roord’s deflected effort and turned to shoot at goal.
And it wasn’t long before the current European champions were ahead of what was a promising period for the Dutch. Roord’s corner found Martens in the first post, with Barça’s goal – which will soon join PSG – expertly beating Keira Walsh on the ball.
Image: Lieke Mertens celebrates putting the Dutch ahead on Elland Road
One almost turned into two when Beerensteyn went into goal, but Rachel Daly, who made her 50th selection in her hometown, sprinted again to intervene and of course.
The Lions managed to increase the trend and the promising Kirby won a free kick on the edge of the area after turning and turning well, but Alex Greenwood’s stopped ball was well caught by Van Veenendaal.
And the Lions found themselves tied just 10 minutes before the break, Jackie Groenen’s bad touch allowed Kirby to drive into goal and the ball was recycled to Bronze on the right. Barcelona’s new right-back seemed to hit his cross badly, but ended up flying to the top corner of Van Veenendaal.
It was the much-needed boost the Lions needed before the break, and Wiegman’s set came out strong at the break.
Image: England celebrate the leveling with Lucy Bronze’s strange goal
Hemp went down on the left and his deflected shot found substitute Mead on the back post, but the Arsenal winger’s touch dropped her.
But it was another substitute in the half that brought the Netherlands back to the front. Van de Donk exploded to the right and Greenwood was caught by the wrong side of the former Arsenal player. The VAR took their time to give the point shot, but it was all in vain, as Spitse made out his shot.
In a dramatic turn, England climbed to the other end and advanced themselves, with Walsh playing Hemp on the left and centering for Mead, who made no mistake on the back post.
Suddenly, Elland Road bounced and Hemp pulled the strings for the lionesses. In the Dutch half, Kirby used, but the return attack took too long to pull the trigger in the area and a good chance asked the hosts.
Image: Sherida Spitse missed a penalty for the Netherlands just before England’s second
The Netherlands took Vivianne Miedema, the top scorer of the Women’s Super League record, off the bench at the time marked by the most offensive momentum, but it was England who remained in the lead.
Hemp and Daly’s snapshots were a relatively easy job for Van Veenendaal, who had to save well from Mead on the back post after another magnificent delivery of England’s No. 11.
Image: Beth Mead celebrates with her England team-mate Lauren Hemp after scoring against the Netherlands
Hemp suddenly got the goal and the assistance he deserved. First, she created Toone who scored her 11th goal in 14 games internationally, although questions should be asked about Van Veenendaal, who let the ball bounce in front of her.
England went for the fourth straight. Toone hit the post with a Bronze cross, but the Netherlands could not clear their lines and left Hemp with a shot from close range.
And with the clock close to 90, the Lions hadn’t finished yet, as Mead scored a good solo goal after Russo saw a close effort blocked.
It could have been more for the Lions, as Toone saw an effort even later stopped at the back post and Russo hit the crossbar in the final shot of the match, but full time brought a cheerful ‘Sweet Caroline’ to Elland Road, with the belief that football could return home metaphorically, as well as literally, this summer.
Analysis: No hemp, no party: England needs it on the ball
Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz on Elland Road:
If before it was not clear, now it is. Lauren Hemp is the best player in England to go to the European Championships and her fitness will determine the performance of the Lions at home.
This 5-1 win over the Netherlands shows exactly why Weigman needs to get the best out of her. In the first half, Hemp barely got involved in the game after the first five minutes and England ran out of ideas beforehand.
But the second part was a master class on hemp. Last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year propelled opponents, made smart and tricky passes to his teammates and finished with a goal and two assists.
Image: English winger Lauren Hemp impressed at Elland Road
Of course, lionesses have other talents at their disposal. Millie Bright is key in the back, Leah Williamson dictates things from midfield, with Beth Mead and Ellen White also in charge of going ahead.
But it seems like Mead unlocks all of these players: no other player has the influence she has.
Legendary English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley wore a T-shirt with “Lauren Hemp is my animal spirit” on Elland Road; it will also carry the spirit of the nation.
What’s next?
England conclude their preparations for Euro 2022 when they visit Switzerland on Thursday, in what is their friendly final before the tournament starts on 6 July. That night, the Lions host Austria at Old Trafford.
Follow Euro 2022 at Sky Sports
Stay up to date with all the news from Euro 2022 at Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be provided by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, along with Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will do analysis throughout the tournament.
Also joining will be experienced English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
Experts and presenters will work from Sky Sports ’2022 Euro 20 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team across the country to the various stadiums where the matches are being played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football podcast will be renamed Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast for the tournament starting June 21st. Presented by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and interviews with players, as well as a solid program around the tournament.
Euro 2022: the groups …
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: the calendar …
Group stage
Wednesday, July 6th
Group A: England – Austria – start at 8pm, Old Trafford
Thursday, July 7th
Group A: Norway – Northern Ireland – start at 20:00, St Mary’s
Friday, July 8th
Group B: Spain – Finland – start 17:00, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Denmark – start at 8pm, London Community Stadium
Saturday, July 9th
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland – start at 17:00, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands – Sweden – start 20:00, Bramall Lane
Sunday, July 10th
Group D: Belgium – Iceland – start at 17.00, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France – Italy – start 20:00, New York Stadium
Monday, July 11th
Group A: Austria – Northern Ireland – start 17:00, St Mary’s
Group A: England – Norway – start at 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Tuesday, July 12th
Group B: Denmark – Finland – start 17:00, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Spain – start at 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday, July 13th
Group C: Sweden – Switzerland – start 17:00, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands – Portugal – start 20:00, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday, July 14th
Group D: Italy vs Iceland – start at 17.00, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France – Belgium – start at 8 pm, New York Stadium
Friday, July 15th
Group A: …