England wrapped up the group stage at the Women’s European Championship brilliantly, thrashing Wales 6-1 at the AFG Arena on Sunday evening.
England made a flying start. After a VAR check confirmed Carrie Jones’ foul on Georgia Stanway, England were awarded a penalty, which Stanway converted.
Veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock tried to restore parity for Wales, unleashing her effort from 30 yards, but could not hit the target.
The Lionesses doubled their lead in the 20th minute through Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, who scored after her first effort was blocked.
Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh nearly added to England’s tally with a shot from 25 yards, but it was Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp who scored the defending champions’ third goal.
Toone delivered a cross to the far post, which was met by Hemp’s powerful header in the 29th minute.
Alessia Russo made it 4-0 a minute before the end of the first half. Lauren James combined with Toone, who pulled the ball back for the Arsenal forward to poke it home.
England started the second half on the front foot, with goalkeeper Olivia Clark tipping Jess Park’s shot to the far post.
Substitute Beth Mead added to the Welsh woes, scoring in the 73rd minute as she dropped a shoulder to beat her marker before striking a low shot past Clark.
Wales reduced the deficit when Jess Fishlock drove through the midfield to set up Hannah Cain, who fired her shot to the top corner.
Aggie Beever-Jones restored England’s five-goal cushion in the 89th minute, heading the ball into the roof of the net.
The Lionesses have now scored 43 goals against Wales while conceding three times.
England finished the group in second position with six points and will face Sweden in the quarter-final.
