The Chelsea star played her first game in almost three months in one of many positives for Sarina Wiegman's side ahead of their European title defence
Home
Home Kit
Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the pastFeatures classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyAway
Away Kit
Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletesFeatures bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless blackAvailable in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyGoalkeeper
Goalkeeper Kit
Comes in the traditional green colourwayLogos centralised for a retro look Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyHome
Home Kit
Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the pastFeatures classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyAway
Away Kit
Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletesFeatures bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless blackAvailable in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyGoalkeeper
Goalkeeper Kit
Comes in the traditional green colourwayLogos centralised for a retro look Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyHome
Home Kit
Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the pastFeatures classic English colours in a modern and energetic execution Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyAway
Away Kit
Celebrates the squad's impact on future generations of female athletesFeatures bursts of bright colours accenting a fearless blackAvailable in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
BuyGoalkeeper
Goalkeeper Kit
Comes in the traditional green colourwayLogos centralised for a retro look Available in S, M, L, XL and 2XL
From
£84.99
Buy
England's European Championship title defence is, finally, right around the corner. There's been a lot of talk and build-up to this point, ever since it became apparent that Sarina Wiegman would not be taking a team to the Olympic Games last summer, really, but now the start of the Lionesses' Euro 2025 campaign is officially the next fixture on their calendar, following a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica in Sunday's send-off friendly.
A quick glance at that scoreline and it might feel like there is little England can learn from this result against a team ranked some 35 places lower than them, one also without key players such as Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw for the outing. But, actually, this game served as a great testing ground for Wiegman as she looked to finalise her thinking around the starting XI for Saturday's massive group-stage opener with France.
Several spots in that line-up have felt nailed on for months now, such as those for Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh and Alessia Russo in the spine of it, and others have become incredibly clear due to absentees, with Mary Earps' retirement confirming Hannah Hampton's role as first-choice goalkeeper and Millie Bright's decision to withdraw from selection paving the way for Alex Greenwood to partner Williamson in the heart of defence.
Other positions, however, are characterised by incredibly fierce competition. The continued lack of a natural left-back means it is Jess Carter and Niamh Charles vying for the spot that will complete the back four; Ella Toone, Jess Park, Grace Clinton and, potentially, Lauren James are options for Wiegman in the No.10 role; and there is plenty of quality and variety to pick between in the wide areas, too, with James, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp all selected, and both Park and Aggie Beever-Jones are also players who have operated on the flanks in recent times.
Sunday, then, was the last opportunity for those not sure of their status as starters or subs to really make a case to be the former – and several of them did exactly that, as GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from England's final match before Euro 2025 begins…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Ella Toone
No one stated their case to start more clearly on Sunday than Toone, who scored twice in the first half to set England on their way to a comfortable and convincing win. The Manchester United midfielder came into the game having not netted for her country since February of last year so, given the competition she faces to be in the line-up for this tournament, she couldn't have picked a better time to end that drought.
It wasn't just about Toone's two goals either – both remarkably cool finishes from the edge of the box, one with her right and then one with her left. No, the 25-year-old enjoyed a superb overall performance, with accurate and positive passes, great movement and a strong work ethic off the ball.
"No matter what roles I have in the tournament, I'll make sure I give my best for the team," she told afterwards. But, with this performance only adding to the great form Toone has shown in 2025, it would be a surprise if she isn't in the line-up on Saturday – and if she can bring that goal-scoring threat throughout England's time in Switzerland, the Lionesses' chances of retaining their European title will only increase.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWINNER: Jess Carter
Another player who looks likely to be in England's starting XI on Saturday is Carter, who was given the opportunity from the get-go against Jamaica at the expense of former Chelsea team-mate Charles. Carter was in for the win over Portugal at the end of the May where she impressed, and she picked up where she left off in that game here, with the highlight of Sunday's outing for her certainly the wonderful cross she delivered for Lucy Bronze's first-half header.
Charles got the nod over Carter when England faced Spain in early June, which was a much tougher assignment than those Carter has been given against Portugal and Jamaica. However, Charles' struggles in that game, combined with Carter's start on Sunday, mean it feels likely that it will be the latter in from the off against France.
It's a hard choice for Wiegman. Neither are naturals in the left-back role, despite their efforts and application, and both have had ups and downs in it. Indeed, on Sunday, Carter's lack of pace was a concern more than once, which is a bit of a worry for England given Les Bleues are blessed with speed out wide. Charles isn't especially quick either, though, with it instead looking like the Lionesses' boss is going to bank on the greater defensive nous of a natural centre-back, in Carter.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Chloe Kelly
There are two different perspectives to be taken when it comes to the position Kelly is in as Euro 2025 approaches. On the one hand, she will just be delighted to be involved. Having struggled for much game time at all at Manchester City in the first half of the season, the winger was dropped from the England squad for the first time under Wiegman and her chances of going to Switzerland this summer were in serious doubt. Fortunately, a January loan move to Arsenal brought with it increased minutes and, in turn, made her a secure member of the Lionesses again.
However, it looks like Kelly – whose goal at Wembley delivered the Euro 2022 title – will go to the tournament as a substitute. Despite her impressive form in 2025, the 27-year-old hasn't started for her country since the turn of the year, even though she has often been playing ahead of Mead at Arsenal in that time – and it is her Gunners' team-mate who Wiegman prefers to start on the right at the moment, with Kelly coming off the bench.
That could all change throughout Euro 2025, of course. After all, Kelly is featuring regularly as a sub and her 30-minute appearance on Sunday was bright, with several dangerous crosses put in. But, just as she had to fight to get back into the Lionesses' picture, the Euro 2022 hero is going to have to battle hard to earn that game time in her opportunities from the bench.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Lauren James
There were so many positives for Wiegman and England on Sunday, but perhaps none bigger than the return of James. After sustaining a hamstring injury on Lionesses duty in early April, the Chelsea winger did not play for club or country before the end of the 2024-25 season. It meant that when the England squad for Euro 2025 was announced, there were serious doubts around just how fit the 23-year-old was.
Fortunately, judging by Sunday's 30-minute cameo, she looks extremely ready. James has been praised throughout the last three months for her hard work off the pitch, in her bid to be ready for the summer, and all of that effort culminated in a wonderfully bright return against Jamaica.
Within seconds of stepping onto the turf in Leicester, James so nearly had an assist to her name, but for great goalkeeping by Liya Brooks. There was only so long she could be denied, though, as just a few minutes later, the Chelsea winger curled a lovely cross onto the head of Russo for England's fourth of the day. She could've had more, too, as she was able to create four chances in her short time on the pitch in a performance that will have surely boosted the confidence of every Lionesses fan ahead of this European title defence.
