How dare anyone question Sarina Wiegman?! Winners and losers as England boss delivers a tactical masterclass to revive Euros title defence for Lauren James-led Lionesses

This was a managerial masterclass by Wiegman. The way she diagnosed the issues from the France defeat, made changes to address them all and saw each tweak pay off handsomely was perfect evidence of why she is the best coach in the international women's game right now.

Some coaches would be too stubborn to change too much, but despite how some may view the England boss, she is not. Just as she successfully changed shape during the Lionesses' run to the 2023 Women's World Cup final, she was able to alter her team just enough here, without tearing it up, to make a drastic difference to the performance levels.

There is no nation in this tournament that has as good a manager as England. The likes of Germany and France have first-timers in charge, while there has been plenty of criticism aimed at Spain boss Montse Tome in her two-year tenure. With Wiegman at the helm, the Lionesses will always have the chance to win the biggest prizes.

James was England's best player against France on Saturday, but her use as a No.10 in a 4-3-3 set-up wasn't ideal for the team as a whole, removing some steel from the midfield as tends to be the case when you deploy a forward in that area of the park. That wasn't on the Chelsea star, who was the Lionesses' brightest spark throughout, but it felt important to put her in a better position to succeed against the Netherlands.

Wiegman could've opted to do that in a 3-5-2 formation, leaving James in the middle, but she maintained the shape from last time out and put the winger back out wide instead, where she thrived. The 23-year-old was lethal, scoring twice, creating a couple more chances and generally causing chaos for a Dutch defence that just didn't know how to stop her.

It was not exactly a secret before this game, but James' magic is going to be key if England are to defend their European title - and she looks sharp.

After lighting up the Euros with a splendid performance against Wales last time out, all eyes were on Vivianne Miedema when it came to the Netherlands in this encounter. The forward is well-known to English fans thanks to her record-breaking exploits in the Women's Super League with Arsenal and now Manchester City, but she barely got a kick on Wednesday.

There was a moment after just five minutes when Miedema looked to be in, as Chasity Grant got in behind the England defence and squared the ball to the Netherlands' all-time top goal-scorer. Her first touch was uncharacteristically poor, though, at a point when she appeared to have got the better of Leah Williamson and was left with only Hannah Hampton to beat.

And that was about the only involvement Miedema had in this match. She was able to have only seven touches of the ball in the first half, the fewest of any player on the pitch, and was withdrawn after 66 minutes having only found herself in possession once more. Now, the Netherlands' chances of progressing to the quarter-finals are out of her and her team's hands.

Carter is an excellent centre-back. She showed that at the 2023 World Cup and, after being moved inside from the left-back role she occupied in the defeat to France, she was able to issue a reminder of as much in the win over the Netherlands. Only Keira Walsh won possession back more often than the 27-year-old on Wednesday, no England player made more clearances and she also won both of her tackles while standing out as arguably the most impressive defender in the Lionesses' back line.

Carter has come in for her fair share of criticism over the last few days, judged as the weak line in this side. However, that is the consequence of England having an issue in a certain role and her being played out of position to address it. When used properly, she is a serious asset.

Toone was unlucky not to start England's first game of this tournament, having seemingly done enough to do so with her form in the second half of the 2024-25 season and her two-goal display against Jamaica in the Lionesses' send-off friendly. Instead, Wiegman opted to play James in the No.10 role, leaving the Manchester United star on the bench.

However, a necessary reshuffle paved the way for Toone to come back into the team on Wednesday, and she took full advantage of the opportunity. Her strike to make it 4-0 was the highlight, sure, but it was her battling in midfield that really helped to elevate this England team. Toone won five of her six duels - only bettered by two team-mates - in a tenacious, energetic and hard-working display that deserved a goal. She should certainly keep her place in the XI from here.

Despite Wiegman making a few tactical tweaks for this win, there was only one change in personnel as Toone came in for Beth Mead, a necessary switch in order to beef up the midfield while keeping James in the team. While Mead did come on in the closing stages to play her part in the victory, it does feel like she is the one player whose stock has somewhat decreased off the back of this 4-0 demolition.

Everything worked out so well for England that it's hard to see why Wiegman would make any changes for the clash with Wales on Sunday, and with James and Lauren Hemp both playing so well, it's especially difficult to envision any rotation on the wings. Mead will get her chances from the bench as the tournament progresses, there's no doubt. But, for now, she looks set to find herself on the outside of the XI, having been a stalwart in it for most of 2025.