Beth Mead strikes twice as impressive England see off Netherlands

The Lionesses strengthened their Euros credentials with a blistering 5-1 dismantling of holders the Netherlands in their penultimate pre-tournament friendly.

Sarina Wiegman’s side was forced to come from behind for the first time during her tenure, but Lucy Bronze scored the reply to Lieke Martens first-half goal before Sherida Sptise powered a penalty off the outside of the post to wake up the lax home team. An instant response from Beth Mead a minute-and-a-half after the penalty put England ahead before Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp scored in quick succession for the, by then, rampant side and Mead added a late fifth.

Wiegman made five changes to the team that put three past Belgium last week. Alex Greenwood returned to the starting line up in place of Lotte Wubben-Moy, Rachel Daly filled in in place of Demi Stokes at left-back, Fran Kirby began as the No 10, Chloe Kelly was preferred to Beth Mead on the right wing and Beth England led the line with record goal scorer Ellen White absent with Covid.

Related: England v Netherlands: women’s international friendly – live!

It has been a long time since England has faced the Netherlands. Then, manager Wiegman was in the opposite dugout, leading her team to a 3-0 semi-final win over England before going on to secure a home Euros triumph for the Netherlands against Denmark in the 2017 final.

With the Dutch manager now with England and English manager Mark Parsons having swapped Portland Thorns for the holders ahead of the Euros, and England playing in orange while the Dutch donned white shirts, any fans craving their next Stranger Things hit will have had their appetite sated by a game seemingly being played in the Upside Down.

There was familiarity. Five of the Netherlands