London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026

England impress in comeback win over Dutch

England impress in comeback win over Dutch

England came from behind for the first time under manager Sarina Wiegman to register an impressive victory over European champions the Netherlands.

Substitutes Beth Mead and Ella Toone made an impact as they both got on the scoresheet in a one-sided second half.

The Dutch led through Lieke Martens' header before Lucy Bronze equalised to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Mead then struck moments after Dutch captain Sherida Spitse hit the post from the penalty spot, before Toone and Lauren Hemp doubled England's tally in the space of two minutes.

Arsenal winger Mead added a fifth goal late on to confirm a resounding victory in a statement performance from the Lionesses in Leeds.

England's victory, played in front of a vibrant crowd at Elland Road, extended their unbeaten run under manager Wiegman after she joined from the Netherlands in September.

They have just one friendly remaining - against Switzerland on 30 June - before opening the home Euros at Old Trafford against Austria on 6 July.

It was an entertaining match throughout as England were pressed intensely by the visitors in the first half and found themselves trailing when Martens' well-timed header caught out Mary Earps on a corner.

Bronze then looped a cross - intended for Beth England - inside the far post to ensure the teams were level at the break.

The Netherlands were awarded a penalty following a VAR review when Alex Greenwood brought down ex-Arsenal midfielder Danielle van de Donk but Spitse, making her 200th appearance, struck the post.

Within seconds, England went up the other end and Hemp curled it into the path for substitute Mead to direct home.

The crowd were on their feet and momentum was with England as they pushed to extend their advantage - Toone eventually curling in a third, before Hemp pounced on a rebound off the post to fire in a fourth.

It was a taste of the exciting football England are capable of producing at the Euros and the supporters who chanted "we want five" after Hemp's goal were given what they asked for when Mead fired in another in the dying moments.

Those leaving Elland Road will no doubt have come away feeling even more anticipation for the first game which is just 12 days away.


England deliver against 'biggest test'


Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the European title on home soil in 2017, said they would be England's biggest test in their friendlies before the tournament.

They proved to be hard to contain in the first half as Lineth Beerensteyn came close on two occasions and Martens was dangerous on the left.

But England bounced back well after Martens had given the visitors a 22nd-minute lead and went up another gear in the second half.

Wiegman admitted the missed penalty proved a gamechanger, with England taking the lead just a minute later.

"We were struggling in the first half; the Netherlands were playing well," she said. "They got the penalty and didn't score, within a minute we scored, and then we sped up the levels of the game. The Netherlands had trouble with that and then we just kept scoring.

"Scoring within a minute was a gamechanger. We also showed against Belgium that this team has depth; we can make substitutions and get the game to the next level."

Toone and Mead were explosive and dynamic when they came on, striker Alessia Russo was constantly on the move inside the penalty area and Hemp's deliveries from the left were pin-point.

There was a party atmosphere at full-time as 19,365 fans celebrated with a rendition of 'Sweet Caroline', the waving flags and scarves a taste of what could come this summer.


Toone shines as selection headache emerges
Ella Toone scored 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute at Elland Road


Wiegman still has some decisions to make over her team selection as the Euros draws nearer and the performances of Toone, Mead, Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby have produced even more headaches.

Kirby was given the nod in midfield - with Wiegman opting for Georgia Stanway in the 3-0 win over Belgium - and the Chelsea star was bright and creative.

She linked up well with Kelly in particular in the first half but Wiegman's decision will not be easy as Kirby's replacement, Toone, stole the show in the second half.

The Manchester United youngster, who had appeared in every game under Wiegman prior to this month's friendlies, got on the scoresheet and it was her shot which struck the post leading to Hemp's goal.

On Toone and Mead's impact off the bench, Wiegman said: "They very energetic and you could tell they were having fun on the pitch. That comes into the rest of the team."

With both Toone and Kirby providing strong options, Wiegman admitted the midfield places were still up for grabs.

"Yeah that is, absolutely [a decision still]. We have so much quality. We were trying things out. We have one more game to try things out then we will be ready to go," said Wiegman.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
MI5 Warns of Rising Russian and Iranian Sabotage Threats to British Military Facilities
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Closer EU Ties as MI5 Reveals Russian Brexit Interference
UK Orders Security Review Following Reported Killing of Former Politician Ann Widdecombe
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Meets German Chancellor Merz to Strengthen European Security Ties
Nearly 100,000 NHS Patients Treated in Hospital Corridors as England Braces for Winter Pressures
UK Government Rejects US-Russia Diesel Agreement and Reaffirms Sanctions Against Moscow
UK and Germany Agree to Deepen Security and Economic Cooperation Following Berlin Talks
British Prime Minister Burnham Pledges Closer EU Ties During Visit to Germany
UK Announces New Sanctions on 17 Russia-Linked Entities During Foreign Secretary's Ukraine Visit
UK and Germany Finalize Kensington Treaty to Strengthen Defense and Technology Cooperation
Britain Maintains Diplomatic Mission in East Jerusalem Despite Israeli Closure Deadline
English Councils Push Government to Rethink Proposed Funding Cuts
Scottish Homebuilding Falls to Lowest Level in 11 Years
BBC Chief Matt Brittin Defends Restructuring as Staff Challenge Job Cuts
UK Finance Warns High Energy Costs and Bond Yields Are Complicating Fiscal Outlook
UK Adopts All 44 Recommendations on Regulating AI in Healthcare
Chancellor John Healey Prepares Autumn Budget as Borrowing Costs Strain Public Finances
UK Investigators See Strong Indications of Iranian Link After RAF Fairford Security Operation
Laura Trott Pledges Tighter Controls on Political Activism in UK Classrooms
Welsh Ministers Launch Long-Term Review of North Wales and Anglesey Crossings
Welsh Government Orders 18-Month Study of Road Solutions Around Newport
Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin Faces Scrutiny Over £800,000 Second Home Purchase
British Households Grow More Concerned About Fuel and Energy Prices
NHS Leaders Warn of Rising Winter Pressure on Emergency Departments
Kemi Badenoch Proposes £2.3 Billion Employer National Insurance Cut for Young Workers
Middle East Conflict Could Erase UK Fiscal Headroom, Economists Warn
Manchester City Found Guilty of Multiple Premier League Financial Rule Breaches
UK Security Services Find Strong Indications of Iranian Role in RAF Fairford Incident
Costa Coffee Returns to Operating Profit on Iced Drinks and Menu Changes
Asos Warns Customers After Unauthorized Access to Retail App and Data
Kemi Badenoch Puts Growth and Deregulation at Center of Conservative Conference
Campaigners Warn of Deepening Social Care Crisis for Disabled Adults
Study Finds Rising Early-Onset Cancer Rates Among Adults Under 50 in Britain
UK Coach Operators Warn High Diesel Prices Could Force Route Cuts
FCA Opens Independent Review Into Handling of Epstein-Linked Whistleblower Case
Argentina Vows to Block Falkland Islands Offshore Oil Development
UK Chancellor Prepares Fiscal Measures and Welfare Reforms Ahead of Autumn Budget
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons Explore Potential Multi-Billion-Pound Merger
UK Weighs Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles to Align With European Union
UK Threatens Diplomatic Expulsions Over Planned Closure of East Jerusalem Consulate
UK Energy Price Cap Hits Three-Year High as Middle East Conflict Raises Costs
Seventh Arrest Made in Suspected Terror Plot at RAF Fairford
Systemic Education Collapse Sparks Mass Student Uprisings in France
Green Party Faces Backlash Over Resolution Equating Zionism With Racism
Conservatives Debate Scrapping Environmental Rules for New Homes
Cornwall Insight Warns UK Energy Bills Could Approach £2,000 This Winter
UK Coach Operators Warn of Service Cuts as Diesel Prices Exceed £2
Scottish Parliament Approves £68 Billion Budget With New Tax and Property Measures
FCA Opens Independent Review Into Handling of Epstein Whistleblower
UK Government Drops Plan to Suspend Jury Trials in England and Wales
×