NETHERLANDS 2-1 ENGLAND: Alessia Russo’s second-half strike wasn’t enough as goals from Lieke Martens and Renate Jansen inflicted defeat on the Lionesses in Utrecht
After a positive start to their Nations League campaign against Scotland last week, England were beaten 2-1 by the Netherlands on Tuesday evening.
After a rather cagey opening half an hour, it was the hosts who fired themselves in front just after the 30-minute mark. Some sloppy play from the Lionesses was punished by the Netherlands and it’s fair to say it had been coming.
England attempted to play it out from the back but Georgia Stanway’s ball ricocheted off Jackie Groenen and into the path of Danielle van de Donk, who appeared to be in an offside position. She laid it off to Lieke Martens, who fired an effort beyond Mary Earps.
England appeared to wake up after going behind as Rachel Daly hit the host and both Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze forced saves from Daphne van Domselaar in quick succession before the break. The Dutch, though, remained a threat the other way and hit the woodwork themselves through Lineth Beerensteyn.