Beth Mead takes bragging rights over Dutch partner after pre-match warning
Beth Mead and partner Vivianne Miedema may well consider football talk off limits again after England thrashed the Netherlands at Euro 2025. Before the match, Miedema joked that Mead might not talk to her for a little while if things went the way of the Dutch on Wednesday, but instead it was England who gained the upper hand in the battle to make the quarter-finals.
"We have a rule that we can talk about anything but not about the match," Miedema told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "I don't know if she's going to start the game, I don't know if she'll come on later.
'The only thing I know is that we both feel good. Nothing more. Tomorrow we won't be friends on the pitch for a while.
"I'm there as a Dutch person and I'll do everything to win that match. If that's not good for Beth, then I'm happy. It's part of the game. I've often been on the other side, but I'm happy if we can progress tomorrow.
"I don't have a good record against her, but hopefully we can change that. But we haven't played much against each other at both club and national team level."
Miedema started and scored in the Netherlands' first game against Wales, while Mead played an hour for England as they lost to France. This time, Mead started from the bench, with Ella Toone brought into the England XI.
The Netherlands captain had a chance to open the scoring, but couldn't bring the ball under her spell in time to get a shot away before England keeper Hannah Hampton. The Lionesses made their opponents pay, too, striking first through Lauren James and never looking back.
James ended the night with two goals, with Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also on target. The closest Miedema came was a 25th-minute effort which flew over the top as team-mate Jill Roord called out for a pass, and she ultimately made way for Danielle van de Donk midway through the second half.
England's handsome victory means three more points in their final group game against Wales will ensure their progress into the knockout stages. Whether that's as group winners or runners-up remains to be seen, though, with France still able to guarantee top spot if they take four points from games against Wales tonight and the Netherlands on Sunday.
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