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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Women's Euros 2025: Guide to Group D – can England escape toughest group?
One of the teams in this group will be going home far earlier than they had hoped. Three does not go into two and France, the Netherlands and England will expect to make the knockout stages. The Netherlands and England are the two most recent winners of the European Championship, with both achievements being accomplished under the same manager, Sarina Wiegman. Spare a thought for poor Wales, who are being thrown in at the deep end for their first international tournament. The favourites are… They have not been at their best in recent months and the disruption leading into this tournament — the retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, plus Millie Bright making herself unavailable and having surgery — has not helped, but it is still hard to look past holders England as the leading contenders to get out of this group. Advertisement Wiegman's side have lost to the Netherlands and France in the past two years but they have also pulled out crucial wins against both teams when they have needed to. Wiegman has repeatedly shown she is a manager who can weather the storms of international tournaments, having reached the final of every European Championship and World Cup in which she has managed. That is not to say it is impossible England are on the wrong end of a shock here — it just feels hard to bet against them. The standout match will be… England vs Netherlands This whole group is pretty mouthwatering but the game between England and the Netherlands on the second matchday (July 9) will be pivotal. There is plenty of European Championship history between these teams — the Netherlands knocked England out at the semi-final stage in 2017 — with Dutchwoman Wiegman now managing England only adding to the fun. Advertisement Meetings between these sides have seen plenty of drama in recent years. In their Nations League group in 2023, Renate Jansen scored a late winner for the Netherlands, then in the reverse fixture at Wembley, Ella Toone did the same for England. Expect this one to go down to the wire. The group's galactico is… Lauren James (England) When fit, Lauren James is one of the best players in the world. England look like a different side when she is playing, and their success this summer may very well depend on whether they can keep the Chelsea forward healthy. She set the World Cup alight in 2023 until she was sent off in the round of 16 — she will be hoping she can harness the more positive aspects of that tournament in Switzerland. Advertisement Whether it is her ball-carrying, passing, shooting or even her defensive work rate, James has become the complete forward. Wiegman can use her off either wing or as a 'No 10' through the middle, adding to her unpredictability. James is so good that this England team could be built around her for years to come, but she needs to deliver this summer. The player who could make a name for themselves… Veerle Buurman (Netherlands) When Chelsea announced a transfer deadline-day signing last September, plenty of people asked, 'Who?', when they saw the name Veerle Buurman. The left-sided centre-back was immediately loaned back to her previous club, PSV, then broke into the Netherlands team at the start of the season. Advertisement She has looked very comfortable at senior level and her ability to vary whether she carries the ball or passes it out from the back makes her unpredictable in build-up. She also contributes in attack. She registered two goals and an assist at the most recent Under-20 World Cup, and has a goal and an assist in her senior international career already too. A story to look out for Wales For several of Wales' players, this summer will mark the culmination of years of work, none more so than Jess Fishlock, the 38-year-old who has amassed more than 160 caps for the national team. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders ever in the women's game, Fishlock has been a dedicated servant to the Wales national team. Advertisement But it is not just her. Angharad James, Hayley Ladd and Sophie Ingle are some of the other names who have spent years striving for the opportunity to play in an international tournament for Wales. Ingle is in the squad but missed the whole of the 2024-25 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Chelsea's pre-season. Under former Portland Thorns manager Rhian Wilkinson, Wales have become a well-organised defensive side with a penchant for a quick counter-attack, powered by the speed of Bristol City winger Ffion Morgan and the sharp finishing of Leicester City forward Hannah Cain. They could hardly have been drawn into a tougher group but it also represents a free hit — and the opportunity to spoil England's summer. You might not know this Netherlands captain Sherida Spitse recently became the most-capped international player in European football history. In April, she played her 241st game for the Netherlands in a 3-1 win against Austria, surpassing Caroline Seger, who made 240 appearances for Sweden before retiring in 2023. The men's record is held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 221. Advertisement Spitse made her debut as a 16-year-old in 2006, in a 4-0 defeat against England. She has since gone on to feature in seven international tournaments, with this summer's Euros being the fifth one she has been selected for. Fixtures in full 5 July: Wales vs Netherlands, 17:00 BST, 12:00 ET 5 July: France vs England, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET 9 July: England vs Netherlands, 17:00 BST, 12:00 ET 9 July: France vs Wales, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET 13 July: Netherlands vs France, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET 13 July: England vs Wales, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET This article originally appeared in The Athletic. England, Wales, France, Netherlands, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
ES Tunis 0-3 Chelsea - the fans' verdict
We asked for your thoughts after Chelsea beat ES Tunis 3-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Club World are some of your comments:Dell: Considering the amount of changes to the starting line-up, I thought we played well in the first half. The ball was moved around at pace and we went forward rather than the pedestrian sideways and backwards movement we see so often. The second half was played at a slower pace but we still tried for more goals. Tosin's headed goal finally broke the deadlock and with Delap getting his first a couple of minutes later broke the hearts of Tunis. Overall, I reckon it was a good team performance by A very comfortable win - frankly no more than expected - by what was practically Chelsea's 'Conference League Group Stage' starting XI. Very tough playing conditions, so the slow pace was unsurprising. Well-taken goals by Tosin and Delap. And an unexpected bonus to be playing Benfica rather than Bayern Munich in the last The good thing is Chelsea won and progress, and good to play Benfica next, That should be a bit easier than Harry Kane's Bayern. Hopefully make last eight. Keep winning, The first of many goals for Delap. We hope!
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Lionel Messi and Inter Miami advance to the knockouts of the Club World Cup despite collapse to Palmeiras
Inter Miami was set to face Botafogo in Philadelphia after Luis Suarez scored a sublime goal to put The Herons up 2-0 on Brazilian giants Palmeiras. What followed was a stunning collapse which will see them reach the knockout stages - but just barely as the finale of Group A featured two stunning results. Inter Miami gave up two late goals to the Alviverde to draw 2-2 and let slip the chance to win Group A. Now, that disaster will set up one of the most exciting matchups in the Round of 16: Messi, traveling to Atlanta, to take on his former club Paris Saint-Germain. MORE TO FOLLOW.
BreakingNews.ie
08-06-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
GAA quiz: How closely have you been watching the championship this season?
From new rules, to shocks to last-minute winners, it has been a championship to remember so far. In one of the most open campaigns in recent memory, there has been plenty of standout moments, with the knockout stages yet to come. Advertisement Ahead of the final round of games in the All-Ireland football championship, test your knowledge to see what you can remember from the games this season. Take our quiz below and see how you get on.
