England’s potential route to Euro 2025 final

England remain on course to defend their European crown after reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2025.

A dismal opening defeat by France had seen some expectations fall but after thrashing Netherlands 4-0 and beating Wales 6-1, England secured second place in Group D.

The Lionesses will face Sweden, who topped Group C, in the last eight.

Heading into the final round of group matches, England were second in Group D, trailing France (six points) by three points and sitting level on points with third-placed Netherlands.

Matching the Netherlands’ result against France would have been enough to guarantee the Lionesses a top-two finish and a spot in the quarter-finals.

However, England did more than that, beating tournament debutants Wales 6-1 in St Gallen, with Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and Aggie Beever-Jones on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile in Basel, the Netherlands lost 5-2 to France to exit in the group stage. France clinched first place with nine points after three successive victories.

England and Sweden have been here before. They met in Sheffield in the semi-finals at Euro 2022, with England triumphing 4-0 before going on to lift the trophy against Germany in London five days later.

If England beat Sweden on 17 July, they will face either Norway or Italy, who are both currently ranked outside the world’s top 10, in Geneva on 22 July.