England strolled into the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 with an emphatic victory over Wales, whose exit from the tournament was confirmed after three successive defeats.
Sarina Wiegman’s side knew victory would secure their place in the last eight – where they will face Sweden – and they showed why they were worthy of the spot from the first minute in St Gallen.
Georgia Stanway opened the scoring from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee spotted contact from Carrie Jones on the midfielder was inside the box.
Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone joined in on the act shortly afterwards, firing her rebounded effort into the roof of the net, before turning provider for Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo in a ruthless first-half display.
While the onslaught tailed off in the second half, substitute Beth Mead still made her mark, jinking past Josephine Green in the box to slot home England’s fifth after good work from Aggie Beever-Jones.
Chelsea forward Beever-Jones joined in too, adding a late goal shortly before the full-time whistle.
England’s dominance did not waiver and Wales, competing in their first major tournament, were shown the brutal level of Europe’s elite.
However, there was some consolation for Wales as Hannah Cain thumped the ball past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton later in the second half, causing an eruption of celebration from the supporters behind the goal.
It was still a bruising night for Rhian Wilkinson’s side, who have lost all three of their group games against France, the Netherlands and England, scoring two goals and conceding 13.
What was the main talking point for England?
It was a matter of doing the business for England.
Wales had attempted to heap on the pressure in their pre-match media conference, stating it was up to England to perform and ensure they delivered with their heavy favourites tag.
Having impressed against the Netherlands, catapulting themselves into a strong position in the group, England did not take their foot off the gas.
They were not fazed by Wales’ early attempts to slow the game down and were full of creativity and flair, allowing them to break through a fragile defence.
Their position in the group was still affected by the result in Group D’s other match between the Netherlands and France – where the winner of the group would set-up a quarter-final with 2022 finalists Germany and slot into the perceived tougher half of the draw.
But England did not allow themselves to think about the possibility of not finishing top and they played with the confidence and ability that has helped them reach back-to-back major finals.
It has not been a smooth group-stage campaign, having to bounce back from a bruising opening defeat by France, but they look in good shape going into the knockout stages.
