
Sarina Wiegman delighted with England performance ahead of Euros opener
Ella Toone scored a brace either side of Lucy Bronze's header to give England a healthy advantage at the break.
Wiegman's side flexed their muscles in the second period as Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Aggie Beever-Jones and Beth Mead got on the scoresheet to give England the perfect send-off before they face France in their first game at the Euros next Saturday.
Victory in our #WEURO2025 send-off match! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2xXmCX9WFF
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 29, 2025
'We played a good game,' the 55-year-old said. 'We were a lot in the final third, we scored seven goals which is really good, created a lot of chances and some moments could have been even more patient sometimes.
'But at the same time, scoring seven goals and more opportunities to score was really good.
'We know next week we have to take our game to the next level. But what we wanted to do was play a good game, entertain fans, getting ready for next week and getting everyone fit out of this game.
'It shows we have a good team and have many options and competition going on for positions. Today we had six different players score goals, which is nice going into the Euros and it shows the players can score goals.' England gained momentum ahead of their Euros opener against France (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Lauren James climbed off the bench in the second period as she made her first appearance since a hamstring injury in April.
It did not take long for her to make an impact as she supplied the cross for Russo's goal shortly after her introduction.
Wiegman added: 'We're still building her. She's worked so hard to be here where she is now. At Chelsea first, but then the last two weeks in training camps, she could do every single training session and did really well.
Right place, right time, RUSSO! pic.twitter.com/hygnsBvUWe
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 29, 2025
'Now this is the first time she could get minutes and we hope next week we can keep building her going into France.
'Also there is a lot of competition going on upfront and in midfield so we've figured out over the last couple days how we will start.'
England feared Mead picked up an injury when she went down holding her knee as the game ticked over into stoppage time. Beth Mead overcame an injury scare to score England's seventh goal (Bradley Collyer/PA)
The fans had their hearts in their mouths when Mead received treatment on the field, but she was able to get up and carry on before she scored the last goal of the game.
Wiegman said: 'It was a hit on her knee. She's OK, she's good.
'Everyone came out fit and healthy so it was just a hard knock. It looked horrible so we were a little bit scared too, but she could even score after that moment.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England's Lionesses get mighty send-off ahead of biggest tournament of the year
Lioness midfielder Ella Toone said she could not think of "a better send off" after a monumental display was made out of nearly 10,000 fanned, folded and rolled towels England's Lionesses got a mighty send-off as they prepare to depart for their biggest tournament of the year - a massive tribute made entirely from towels. The monumental display featuring a roaring Lioness, 41 metres wide and 29 metres high is made of nearly 10,000 fanned, folded and rolled towels. It took 36 hours to complete and sits proudly in the hotel grounds at Hilton at St George's Park, the team's home base during training camps, ahead of the European Women's Championship tournament in Switzerland. Lionesses midfielder Ella Toone said: "I couldn't think of a better send off! We spend so much time away from home, but Hilton is where we find calm, comfort, and a bit of normality. It's the small things that make all the difference – a friendly face, even a perfectly fluffed pillow. The team takes care of us so we can focus on what we do best!' The Lionesses are based at Hilton at St George's Park throughout the year and the hotel has been keeping an impressive score sheet of its own. So far in 2025, the squad has accumulated over 1,000 stays, 20,304 towels rolled and 10,304 pillows fluffed, helping the team rest in camp and prepare for training sessions and matches. The intricate art installation was created by an expert squad of towel turners - including hotel team members - incorporating a medley of techniques: 7,500 towels rolled, 2,250 folded, and 250 artistically fanned to create the stunning visual. Stijn Bastiaens, vice president marketing and loyalty, EMEA, Hilton said: 'We know that it matters where you stay - and never more so than when the Lionesses stay with us during training camps. 'Spending so much of the year at Hilton at St George's Park, our team members have taken care of every need - from delivering nutritious meals to restful stays - making it a true home away from home. As the team heads off for one of the biggest sporting events of the year, we wanted to show them we're all behind them and cheering them on.' Following the spectacular display, several towels will be donated to Gift of Kit as part of Hilton's work with grassroots sports teams. Fans can get in on the action and show their support for the Lionesses until July 7 by submitting messages at special booths at select Hilton hotels, including Hilton London Wembley, Hilton London Metropole, and Hilton Liverpool City Centre.


BreakingNews.ie
20 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign
Pep Guardiola concedes he does not know if Manchester City's next Premier League challenge will be 'destroyed' by their Club World Cup campaign or not. England manager Thomas Tuchel recently said the involvement of City and Chelsea in this summer's tournament in the United States would hand the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal a 'huge advantage' in the title race. Advertisement Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also described the event as 'the worst idea ever implemented in football' because of concerns over player welfare. Guardiola, however, insists City – who face Al-Hilal in a last-16 tie in Orlando on Monday night (2am Tuesday UK) – are focused on rediscovering their best after a frustrating 2024-25 season and claiming the prize. The City manager said: 'I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition and we try to win it. 'The most important thing is to recover and find within ourselves what we were. That's my main target in this tournament. Advertisement 'I want them to feel that this is our path again to be competitive like we have been in eight of the last nine years. 'After this, let's see what happens. Let's see what happens after the final. We will rest for the time the Premier League allow us. 'Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us. 'I don't know, it's the first time in our lives that this has happened. We will see when we come back.' Advertisement Jurgen Klopp (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) had a big rivalry (Isaac Parkin/PA) Guardiola says he can understand the viewpoint of his old rival Klopp, now head of global soccer for Red Bull, who had a team involved in the tournament in Salzburg. Yet he suggested people complaining might be jealous. Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: 'I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from. 'I respect him, I would defend his argument as well. At the same time, as managers, we are in a job. We don't organise the competitions. Advertisement 'Once we are here, we are proud. Many, many teams complain about these competitions because they are not here, otherwise they might love being here.' Weather problems have been a recurring issue in the tournament both in terms of intense heat and thunderstorms. Chelsea's players were forced off the field due to a thunderstorm (Chris Carlson/AP) Chelsea's last-16 victory over Benfica on Saturday was suspended for almost two hours due to lightning in the vicinity. Guardiola said: 'I am an extraordinary manager but to control lightning and thunder, still I am not good enough! Advertisement 'If it is (suspended) here the same reason as why they suspend the other one, I will go inside and we will continue to be active and play again. 'It is not the ideal situation but I grew up to understand not to be worried about the situations that I can't control. So no problem.'


Powys County Times
23 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Women's Euros forecast to boost UK economy with pubs hoping to serve more pints
The Uefa Women's Euros is set to deliver a summertime boost to the UK economy with pubs hoping to serve millions of extra pints during the tournament, according to a leading trade body. Pubs being allowed to stay open later if England or Wales reach the final stages could also reel in more customers. The Uefa Women's Euro 2025 tournament kicks off in Switzerland on July 2, with England's Lionesses and Wales playing their first matches on Saturday July 5. Pubs are hoping to pull an additional 2.6 million extra pints during the tournament, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) found, based on an estimated increase in pub beer sales during matches compared with the annual daily average. The BBPA, whose members brew 90% of British beer and own nearly half of UK pubs, said this could deliver a £13 million boost to the economy. Furthermore, pubs could be allowed to stay open beyond their usual closing time if either of the two countries reach the semi-finals or final of the Euros, which will take place towards the end of July. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: 'The pub has forever been regarded as a home away from home, especially for sports fans, so it's no surprise that fans will be flocking to the pub to cheer on our brilliant teams.' However, Ms McClarkin renewed calls for the Government to 'level the playing field and reduce beer duty', with England and Wales paying the fourth-highest tax rate compared with other nations competing in the tournament, she said. Alcohol duty is paid by manufacturers when they make their products, and the duty is generally then passed on to consumers through prices. Duty on draught pints was cut by 1.7% earlier in the year – meaning a penny off a pint in the pub.