'The best thing that could have happened!' - Beth Mead reveals England's Euro 2025 defeat to France was ideal wake-up call as Lionesses aim to topple Sweden in quarter-final

England began their Euro 2025 campaign with a disappointing loss to France, sparking doubts about their title defence. However, Sarina Wiegman’s side quickly regrouped, responding with dominant wins over the Netherlands and Wales to finish second in their group. That turnaround has set up a high-stakes quarter-final clash with Sweden, who topped their group and look determined to avenge their 2022 semi-final exit.

Speaking to the media, Mead said: “It didn’t seem it at the time, it probably was the best thing that could have happened to us as a team. I think it motivated us. We had conversations, we figured things out that we maybe needed to.

"You don't win or lose a tournament in the first game, I think it's cliche to say it, but you don't, and we're now in a position where we're building quite nicely and hopefully we can continue that momentum now into the quarterfinals."

Sweden have looked like one of the tournament's most complete teams, capped by a stunning 4-1 win over Germany in their last group game. They have consistently reached the latter stages of major competitions and will be eager to end England's reign as champions. For the Lionesses, the rematch with Sweden is a chance to prove their recent resurgence is no fluke and that they remain serious contenders for the title.

The Lionesses will face Sweden in Zurich with a place in the Euro 2025 semi-finals on the line. Wiegman is expected to name an unchanged side after the impressive wins in the last two group games, with Mead among those hitting form at the right time.