Sarina Wiegman stuck to her guns and the Lionesses fired their Euros campaign back on track.
The build-up to this match was one of the most intense in the Wiegman era, leaving some reporters to remark that it ‘felt like a World Cup final’ for the Dutch coach against her former side.
But Wiegman, as she so often does, found a way to win in the big moments – and there was a 23-year-old from south-west London who had her fingerprints all over it.
Lauren James, whose name has long been uttered in tones reserved for the greats, turned the Letzigrund Stadium into her personal playground on Wednesday night.
There were some calls for Wiegman to drop James for tonight’s game after a disappointing display against France, but Wiegman’s decision to keep her in the starting line-up was vindicated as the mercurial star flicked the switch and dazzled the masses.
James was involved in all the first three goals, but it was her opener that we should turn to first on the highlights reel.
Lauren James (left) was the star of the show as England bounced back at the Women’s European Championship against the Netherlands with a convincing 4-0 victory
James was involved in the first three goals but her first strike was the pick of the four efforts
Sarina Wiegman stuck with her greatest asset despite a difficult performance against France
It started from the very base of the pitch through goalkeeper Hampton, whose precise pass sliced through the Dutch midfield. Russo raced onto it, drove to the byline, and cut it back to James at the edge of the box.
James took three touches to shift into space before unleashing a stunning strike into the top-right corner. The Chelsea forward spun away in celebration, a smile breaking across her usually nonchalant demeanour.
‘The physical power all opponents have to accept – more physical power than anyone else,’ said a disappointed Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker of England’s No 10. ‘It’s very difficult for women to get her off the ball wherever she plays.’
James’ club teammate Hampton had a wonderful night, too. Beyond her involvement in England’s first goal, the 24-year-old shot-stopper was assured on the ball and read the game well, rushing out to smother the ball and prevent an early Dutch chance.
Her storied introduction to major tournament football could have gone one of two ways, but so far Hampton has only done what Wiegman promised she was capable of and live up to the pressure.
‘(Hampton) had some brilliant passes tonight,’ the 55-year-old said. ‘She’s really good with her feet – right and left. Today she got it really right in the right moments.’
Meanwhile Lauren Hemp was also dazzling on James’ opposite flank, frequently cutting in to rattle her Manchester City teammate Kerstin Casparij.
All week, the Lionesses had drilled one-v-one scenarios – a weak point exposed by France – and here, they responded in style. The Netherlands, fresh off a 3-0 win over Wales, were suffocated by England’s relentless pressing and committed defending.
Georgia Stanway had promised England would look more like a ‘proper’ side and found the back of the net to help that happen – doubling the Lionesses’ lead before the half-time break
Ella Toone was deployed to help an England side overrun last time out and the change worked
Wiegman made just one change to her team, bringing in Ella Toone for Beth Mead and shifting James to the right wing. A more defensively-minded No 10, Toone was deployed to bolster a midfield that had been overrun in the previous match, which she achieved to great success. Alex Greenwood also moved to left-back, with Jess Carter dropping into central defence.
Georgia Stanway had promised England would look more like a ‘proper England’ side – committed to the physical battles – and she set the tone with a crunching early challenge.
The Netherlands nearly struck first when captain Vivianne Miedema latched onto a loose ball, but her touch let her down, and Hampton was quick to smother.
England responded moments later. Lauren Hemp surged down the left and crossed for Alessia Russo, who found herself unmarked but couldn’t keep her header on target.
With 20 minutes gone – the point where England’s energy had faded against France – the wonderful breakthrough from James came, and the fans in white and blue breathed a visible sigh of relief.
Just before the break, England struck again. James swung in a free kick that was headed clear by Esmee Brugts, but only as far as Russo. She laid it off for Stanway, who drove a fierce low shot into the bottom-left corner to redeem her performance from the opener on the edge of half-time.
England picked up where they left off in the second half. Russo had a goal ruled out after five minutes, with Leah Williamson caught offside in the build-up.
James struck England’s third with a poacher’s effort before the hour mark had passed. Toone’s shot was blocked, and James threaded it past Arsenal’s Champions League-winning goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar and into the back of the net.
James, though, was the star and received a standing ovation when she was substituted
Ever a player for a big occasion, Toone struck England’s fourth before Wiegman withdrew James for Chloe Kelly, while James received a standing ovation as she walked around the pitch.
If ever there was a way of ensuring that their title defence did not go up in a puff of smoke, then this was the way to do it.
On they march.
