England’s Lionesses delivered a commanding performance at Wembley Stadium, thrashing Portugal 6-0 in the Women’s Nations League. The standout moment of the match was Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones’ rapid hat-trick in the first half, achieved in only her second start for England, which helped set the tone for an emphatic victory.
Before kickoff, manager Sarina Wiegman urged her team to “destroy them,” a message that clearly resonated. Beever-Jones took the opportunity with remarkable composure, showcasing her clinical finishing and ability to thrive under pressure. With Alessia Russo having cemented her place as England’s No. 9 following Ellen White’s retirement, Beever-Jones emerged as a strong contender for a starting role with this breakthrough performance.
From the early minutes, England imposed themselves. Beever-Jones opened the scoring within three minutes, capitalizing on persistent pressure from Jess Park that forced a defensive error. Just two minutes later, England doubled their lead through Lucy Bronze, who headed in from close range after a shot from Beth Mead was blocked. This rapid start left the Portuguese defense struggling to cope with England’s fluid attacking play.
Beever-Jones’ second goal came from a perfectly timed header off a Bronze cross, further demonstrating her aerial threat. England’s attacking dominance continued as Beth Mead made it 4-0, skillfully evading her marker before firing past the goalkeeper. The hat-trick was completed by Beever-Jones in the 33rd minute, finishing with a composed low shot at the near post after receiving a long ball from Leah Williamson. This feat made her only the second England woman to score a treble at Wembley, following Mead.
The first half displayed a relentless and ruthless England side, marked by sharp passing, intelligent positioning, and clinical finishing. Mead’s movement and finishing were particularly impressive, drawing praise from Wiegman for her quick feet and ability to maintain control under pressure. The team’s collective understanding and execution of the game plan were evident as they created and converted multiple high-quality chances.
Portugal, ranked 22nd in the world, struggled defensively throughout the match. Despite their poor showing, this was not a straightforward fixture for England. Historically, Portugal has proven to be a tricky opponent, having held England to draws in recent encounters including a 1-1 Nations League draw earlier this year and a goalless friendly before the 2023 World Cup. England’s victory on Friday, therefore, was not a foregone conclusion but a demonstration of their quality and focus.
The second half saw a slight easing of England’s intensity, but fresh legs from substitutions reinvigorated the side. Chloe Kelly, introduced midway through the half, made an immediate impact by scoring with a header from a precise Beth Mead cross. This goal sealed England’s sixth and final score of the evening.
The match also carried some off-field drama. The recent retirement of veteran goalkeeper Mary Earps just over a month before the Euros added uncertainty to the squad’s preparations. Earps’ exit was a blow to the team, who had hoped she would provide experience and leadership alongside younger keepers Hannah Hampton, Anna Moorhouse, and Khiara Keating. Additionally, Millie Bright’s absence due to physical and mental exhaustion was a further challenge.
Nevertheless, the emphatic win served to lift the team’s spirits and reaffirm their readiness for the upcoming European Championship in Switzerland. The squad, including five Arsenal players who recently won the Champions League, showed strong cohesion and resilience despite the changes and disruptions.
This performance not only secured England second place in their Nations League group behind Spain but also sent a clear message ahead of the Euros. The Lionesses demonstrated their attacking prowess, tactical discipline, and depth, leaving fans optimistic about their chances in the summer tournament. As preparations continue, England look to build on this momentum, focused and united in their quest to defend their European title.
