England vs Netherlands LIVE: Result, final score and reaction from Euro 2022 warm-up as Lionesses run rampant

A dominant second-half display from England secured a thumping 5-1 victory over the Netherlands in their latest Euro 2022 warm-up match at Elland Road.

England coach Sarina Wiegman led the Dutch to the European title in 2017 and watched as her former side took the lead through prolific midfielder Lieke Martens.

Lucy Bronze, soon to be a teammate of Martens at Barcelona, equalised for the Lionesses, before they pulled away after the break with further goals from Beth Mead (two), Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp providing an emphatic win.

It might have been different had Dutch midfielder Sherida Spitse, winning her 200th cap, not missed a penalty when she struck the post with the scores level. England went up the other end of the pitch and Mead gave them the lead 54 seconds later and they never looked back.

Follow all the reaction from Elland Road as England thump the Netherlands:

England vs Netherlands

• FULL-TIME! England 5-1 Netherlands

• 90’ - GOAL! Mead slots home her second to complete the rout (5-1)

• 74’ - GOAL! Hemp sumptuously volleys home (4-1)

• 72’ - GOAL! Toone curls home and benefits from a goalkeeping error (3-1)

• 53’ - GOAL! England go straight up the other end and score through Mead (2-1)

• 52’ - MISSED PEN! Spitse puts her spot-kick wide (1-1)

• 32’ - GOAL! Bronze’s cross floats into the net (1-1)

• 22’ - GOAL! Martens heads Netherlands in front (0-1)

• Euro 2022 warm-up game at Elland Road

Five-star England thump reigning champions Netherlands to continue Euro 2022 warm-up in style

22:30 , Michael Jones

England Women delivered a significant statement ahead of next month’s home European Championship as they came from behind to thrash reigning champions Netherlands 5-1 at Elland Road in their penultimate warm-up match.

After the first half had seen Lucy Bronze cancel out Lieke Martens’ opener, the Lionesses had a let-off seven minutes into the second half when Sherida Spitse, on her 200th Netherlands appearance, struck a penalty wide.

A minute later, Beth Mead put England ahead with a close-range finish, and fellow substitute Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp then added efforts in the 72nd and 74th minutes.

Mead subsequently netted her second late on to complete a superb victory for Sarina Wiegman’s side against the team she led to Euro 2017 glory and the 2019 World Cup final.

England are now 13 games unbeaten since Wiegman took charge of them, with this 11th win of her tenure a major confidence boost a few days out from the start of their Euros campaign.

Five-star England thump Netherlands to continue Euro 2022 warm-up in style

Can England win the Euros?

22:27 , Michael Jones

Based on their last two performances, the Lionesses are going to be a handful in Euro 2022. They’ll have home support, options on the bench and a serial winner for a coach.

England remain unbeaten since Sarina Wiegman took charge and are developing into ruthless finishers.

One more game to go until Euro 2022 gets underway.

England 5-1 Netherlands

22:19 , Michael Jones

Sarina Wiegman speaking to ITV: “It was a very good game on the highest level, it is very nice to score five goals but actually we went behind for the first time and it’s how we reacted on that - we needed to come back from not playing well and get the game to a high standard, so that was good.

“It shows this team has a lot of depth and so much quality, we have so much opportunity to change the game and have more impact. We can keep up the tempo while the Netherlands dropped their tempo a little bit.

“For us, it is just that we say when we lose we go with our plan and when we win we go with our plan - we don’t think we are there because some things didn’t go well and we have to improve that too, so we will start working on that on Monday.

“I am absolutely happy, such a high level game and of course the score says a lot, that is really good, the second half was really good. We are in a good place and still some things to improve.”

England 5-1 Netherlands

22:14 , Michael Jones

A five-star performance in the second half from England. Smiles all round in Leeds.

England 5-1 Netherlands

22:06 , Michael Jones

Beth Mead spoke to ITV4 after the match and seemed delighted with her own performance. Rightly so to as the forward chipped in with a brace to take the game away from the Netherlands.

“I am enjoying my football right now, that is showing on the pitch - just glad I can help the team today.” said Mead. “We didn’t play great the first half, we were sleepy, sloppy on the ball. We reacted really well to the penalty.

“It is tougher opposition, Netherlands haven’t won a Euros and got to a World Cup final for no reason, so it shows the quality. These games are for learning but winning and playing well is the confidence we need heading into the Euros.”

England 5-1 Netherlands

22:03 , Michael Jones

Cue the celebrations.

England 5-1 Netherlands

22:00 , Michael Jones

England finished with 13 attempts and six on target scoring five of them. What’s surprising is that those stats feel a little low, England totally dominated the second half.

Sherida Spitse’s missed penalty as a real sliding doors moment.

England 5-1 Netherlands

21:58 , Michael Jones

What a second half! There were so many great performances from the England players. Fran Kirby was exceptional in the first 45 minutes but her contributions will likely be overlooked by the impact of the substitutes.

Beth Mead score twice and Ella Toone got one herself. Lucy Bronze and the imperious Lauren Hemp also joined in the goal scoring frenzy.

Hemp was terrific on the left, just as she was against Belgium last week and today she got herself a goal.

Full-time: England 5-1 Netherlands

21:54 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: Off the bar! Kiera Walsh dinks the ball to Ella Toone who lets it roll past her body before feeding it into the box for Alessia Russo. Russo hits a left-footed strike that does for Van Veenendaal and rattles into the crossbar!

That would have been the icing on the cake.

The full-time whistle goes not long after that effort and England have blown the Netherlands away at Elland Road.

England 5-1 Netherlands

21:52 , Michael Jones

90+2 mins: There are four minutes of added time to play. The Netherlands have got through two of them without further incident but it’s all England now.

Much to the delight of the 20,000 or so fans in attendance. Can they get one more goal?

GOAL! England 5-1 Netherlands (Mead, 90’)⚽️

21:49 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Mead gets her second! England commit so many players forward that there’s no release in pressure for the Netherlands. Ella Toone drives down the left side and flicks it into the box where Alessia Russo miscues an attempted volley.

The ball comes loose to Beth Mead who shifts to the right and drills it past Sari van Veenendaal for England’s fifth!

England 4-1 Netherlands

21:48 , Michael Jones

88 mins: There are just a few minutes left in the game but England aren’t done yet. Places in the starting XI are still up for grabs and Beth Mead tries to guarantee a spot after Ella Toone picks her out in the box.

Mead’s shot is blocked but the ball comes out to Keira Walsh who decides to pass it away instead of having a pop herself.

England 4-1 Netherlands

21:46 , Michael Jones

85 mins: Jess Carter has come on as well replacing Rachel Daly. She was introduced during all the excitement of England blasting in the third and fourth goals.

Carter attempts to make a run down the left but can’t bring a diagonal ball under control and it skips out of play.

England 4-1 Netherlands

21:41 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Lauren Hemp sits out the final 10 minutes for England as Nikita Parris comes on to replace her. That’s not a bad swap for England either.

The strength in depth for the Lionesses is one of the key reasons they are being touted as possible winners of Euro 2022.

England 4-1 Netherlands

21:40 , Michael Jones

80 mins: England have sold out Old Trafford for their opening Euros fixture against Austria. It’s a great sign for the growth of women’s football and when the Lionesses play like this it isn’t hard to see why they’re so popular.

They’ve been top quality again tonight and have taken apart a good Netherlands side.

England 4-1 Netherlands

21:38 , Michael Jones

77 mins: The game completely turned on it’s head when Sherida Spitse missed her penalty. England have stepped up the tempo and throw players forward in the hunt for goals and they’ve blown the Netherlands away.

It’s been a brilliant second half performance, helped once again by the energy of the substitutes.

GOAL! England 4-1 Netherlands (Hemp, 74’)⚽️

21:34 , Michael Jones

74 mins: England have run away with it! Lauren Hemp gets the goal that her performance deserves!

Lucy Bronze dances her way into the box from the right and pulls the ball into the middle. An attempted clearance only gets as far as Ella Toone who shoots and hits the post!

Russo causes trouble for the defenders as she scraps for the ball and Dijkstra can only lob it to Hemp. Hemp volleys the dropping ball with her right foot and there’s nothing the goalkeeper can do to keep it out.

What a finish!

GOAL! England 3-1 Netherlands (Toone, 72)⚽️

21:31 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Incredible! Lauren Hemp brings the ball down the left side and plays it wider to Ella Toone. Toone cuts inside and sits Lynn Wilms down as she shifts into the box. She lines up the far bottom corner and curls her shot towards it.

Sari van Veenendaal drops to cover the ball but totally misses it and it bounces into the back of the net!

England 2-1 Netherlands

21:29 , Michael Jones

71 mins: Toone, Stanway and Russo are all in action as England sweep up the pitch from a forward pass off Keira Walsh. Russo receives the ball in the box, spins inside and gets a shot off that deflects behind for a corner.

England 2-1 Netherlands

21:28 , Michael Jones

68 mins: Chance! Lauren Hemp is causing more problems on the left. She whips a cross in from the wing and tries to pick out Russo in the area. Janssen blocks off the forward but the ball deflects off her shoulder and Van Veenendaal has to flap it away.

Nouwen gets to the loose ball and hoofs it away. Good pressure from England.

England 2-1 Netherlands

21:26 , Michael Jones

65 mins: England now have a few fringe players on the pitch who will be hoping to impress and push for the starting places at the Euros.

Brugts is pressed by Ella Toone who comes away with the ball and knocks it to Lauren Hemp. Hemp cuts inside and curls a shot from the left side of the box but only manages to send it into the arms of the goalkeeper.

England 2-1 Netherlands

21:24 , Michael Jones

62 mins: Both teams go to the bench now. Esmee Brugts and Vivianne Miedema replace Lineth Beerensteyn and Victoria Pelova for the Netherlands.

England make three changes as Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway replace Alex Greenwood, Bethany England and Fran Kirby.

England 2-1 Netherlands

21:20 , Michael Jones

59 mins: There’s plenty of confidence on display from England now and they’re finding a lot of joy on the left side, whether it’s Hemp or Kirby making the runs in behind.

They just need to be more clinical with the final ball. It does feel as though England need another goal to be safe in the match.

England 2-1 Netherlands

21:17 , Michael Jones

56 mins: It took England just 54 seconds to score after the Netherland’s missed penalty. What a turnaround in the game.

Rachel Daly presses up the pitch and closes down Jill Roord who leans into the defender and wins a free kick.

GOAL! England 2-1 Netherlands (Mead, 53’)⚽️

21:13 , Michael Jones

53 mins: Oh my word! England are in front!

Rachel Daly guides the ball to Keira Walsh who threads it perfectly past Lynn Wilms to play Lauren Hemp in behind the lines on the left wing.

Hemp collects the ball and whips it quickly into the box where Beth Mead arrives and guides the volley past Sar van Veenendaal!

England 1-1 Netherlands

21:12 , Michael Jones

52 mins: MISSED! Sherida Spitse on her 200th appearance for the Netherlands lays the ball down to take the spot kick. Mary Earps dances behind the goal line before leaping to her left.

Spitse sidefoots the ball in the direction of the goalkeeper but hits the post and it bounces wide!

Penalty to the Netherlands!

21:10 , Michael Jones

England 1-1 Netherlands

51 mins: The referee is called over to the pitchside monitor by VAR. The replays show that Greenwood didn’t get any touch on the ball and just brought down Danielle van de Donk.

It’s the right decision.

England 1-1 Netherlands

21:09 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Penalty shout! The two Netherlands subs combine when Dijkstra flicks the ball over the top and in behind the England back line. Van de Donk collects the ball and brings it into the box.

Alex Greenwood tracks her and slides in for the tackle. She takes out the forward and may have just got the ball first. The referee waves for play to go on but VAR are taking a look at this.

Second half: England 1-1 Netherlands

21:07 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Chloe Kelly has been replaced with Beth Mead at the break for England. Lieke Martens and Stefanie van der Gragt have gone off for the Netherlands with Danielle Van de Donk and Caitlin Dijkstra replacing them.

Lauren Hemp kicks off the second half for England.

England 1-1 Netherlands

21:03 , Michael Jones

The teams make their way back onto the pitch. How will the Lionesses fare in the second half?

England 1-1 Netherlands

20:57 , Michael Jones

Here’s a look at Lucy Bronze’s goal. Decide for yourself, cross or shot?

Definitely a cross for me.

England 1-1 Netherlands

20:53 , Michael Jones

Lieke Martens gave the Netherlands the lead with a perfect header from Sherida Spitse’s corner before England drew level thanks to Lucy Bronze’s cross/shot.

Can the Lionesses go on to win the game in the second half?

Half-time: England 1-1 Netherlands

20:48 , Michael Jones

45+2 mins: Beerensteyn clips the heel of Williamson after the England captain releases the ball. The Netherlands striker goes in te book and the whistle goes for half-time.

The teams head into the break on level terms.

England 1-1 Netherlands

20:46 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play in the first half.

England 1-1 Netherlands

20:44 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Lauren Hemp is allowed to turn in the middle of the park after she’s picked out by Rachel Daly. Hemp drives up the pitch before sliding the ball over to Leah Williamson.

Bronze is in space on the right as an option but Williamson decides to flick it over to Kirby on the left but the pass is too heavy. Kirby keeps it alive and passes it inside to Hemp but her delivery into the box is poor and Van Veenendaal scoops up the ball.

England 1-1 Netherlands

20:39 , Michael Jones

38 mins: There’s a slight pause in proceedings as Lieke Martens needs some treatment. The Netherlands forward manages to hobble off the pitch but the visitors are down to 10-players for the time being.

England 1-1 Netherlands

20:37 , Michael Jones

35 mins: Lucy Bronze looks sheepish after that goal but England will take it. They’re back in the game now.

Sherida Spitse swings in another corner for the visitors looking for Aniek Nouwen this time but the ball ricochets of a couple of players, drops to Greenwood and the defender boots it clear.

GOAL! England 1-1 Netherlands (Bronze, 32’)⚽️

20:33 , Michael Jones

32 mins: She didn’t mean this! England catch Netherlands in possession high up the pitch and squeeze the ball out to Fran Kirby who drives towards the box.

Kirby runs into trouble and attempts to lay the ball off to Chloe Kelly arriving from the right but the pass is behind the winger and rolls into space.

Lucy Bronze sprints up from the back and takes over, she dribbles to the egde of the box and tries to float a cross to the back post. Van Veenedaal lets the ball go and it swerves at the last moment, hitting the inside of the post and nestling in the back of the net!

England 0-1 Netherlands

20:30 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Greenwood sends the ball up to Williamson and the England captain picks out Fran Kirby. Kirby takes the ball to the tip of the ‘D’ before she’s brought down by Aniek Nouwen. The Netherlands defender is shown a yellow card and England win a free kick.

Alex Greenwood is the woman who takes it. She drills a low effort around the wall searching for the far bottom corner but Sari van Veenendaal dives across and smothers it.

England 0-1 Netherlands

20:28 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Great work from Chloe Kelly who nicks the ball away from Dominique Janssen and flies into the box. She cuts back and passes it over to Leah Williamson who finds Kirby in the box.

Kirby looks to turn towards goal but she has no room to operate and the attack fizzles out for the home side.

England 0-1 Netherlands

20:26 , Michael Jones

25 mins: The Netherlands look really dangerous on set pieces as Spitse hangs another corner into the six yard area. It goes over the head of Millie Bright and almost drops for Stefanie van der Gragt who can’t react in time to tap it home.

Rachel Daly tidies up for the Lionesses.

GOAL! England 0-1 Netherlands (Martens, 22’)⚽️

20:22 , Michael Jones

22 mins: Netherlands take the lead! England give away an unnecessary corner as they’re caught in possession deep in their own half.

Sherida Spitse - on her 200th appearance for the Netherlands - swings in the set piece and perfectly picks out Lieke Martens who meets it with a fine header to the back post.

Mary Earps leaps to her right but can’t reach the ball and the visitors go in front.

England 0-0 Netherlands

20:21 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Save! Beerensteyn is denied by Mary Earps!

This is a better spell from the Netherlands who shift the ball inside from the left side. Lieke Martens brings the ball to the edge of the box and lays it off to Jill Roord. Lynn Wilms pushes up the pitch and collects the ball but gives it back to Roord when she finds herself in space.

Roord shoots but the ball takes a deflection and drops kindly for Beerensteyn. Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright throw themselves in front of the striker but she manages to shift the ball onto her right foot and shoot only for Earps to drop low and keep it out with her right leg.

England 0-0 Netherlands

20:15 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Close! The Netherlands pass the ball back to Van Veenendaal and Lauren Hemp sprints into the box to close her down. The goalkeeper takes too long to release the ball and it hits Hemp before bouncing mere inches wide of the near post!

England 0-0 Netherlands

20:14 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Fran Kirby wins a free kick for England just inside Netherlands’ box. Kirby herself takes it and floats the ball to the front edge of the box where it’s helped on into the box with a decent header.

The ball scuttles through to the six-yard area and Beth England lunges for it but can’t turn it towards goal. That was a close one for the Netherlands.

England 0-0 Netherlands

20:10 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Lineth Beerensteyn is a quick striker. The ball is played over to her after Millie Bright steps out of position and she chases it down to the byline.

Alex Greenwood is aware of the danger and sprints across to cover. She closes down the forward and manages to get the ball out of play for a goalkick.

Good defending.

England 0-0 Netherlands

20:07 , Michael Jones

6 mins: England deal with the Netherlands press well at the back and pass the ball confidently along the defensive line. Rachel Daly pushes into midfield and looks to set Beth England into the box with a long ball forward. England tries to get around Van der Gragt but the ball skips off the turf and lands safely in the hands of goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.

England 0-0 Netherlands

20:04 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Great start from England. Keira Walsh switches the play out to Chloe Kelly on the right side and she combines with Fran Kirby who sprints in behind Aniek Nouwen to get into the box.

Kirby lays the ball back to Kelly as the Netherlands centre-back drops off her leaving her space to operate in the box. Kelly is aware of this and draws out left-back Dominique Janssen before sliding the ball back to Kirby who spins and lifts a cross towards Bethany England.

Stefanie van der Gragt leaps highest and just beats England in the air to clear her lines.

Kick off: England 0-0 Netherlands

20:01 , Michael Jones

Both sets of players take the knee before the Netherlands kick off the game and boot it long down the left side. Mille Bright lets it bounce and watches it safely through to Mary Earps in England’s goal.

England vs Netherlands

19:57 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams. Rachel Daly makes her 50th appearance for England at the home of the club she has supported since childhood. That’s a good story.

Can the Lionesses get themselves a victory over the Netherlands tonight?

Kick off is next...

Wiegman on Ellen White

19:54 , Michael Jones

Sarina Wiegman gave an update on Ellen White after the striker tested positive for Covid-19. She said: “Ellen isn’t available but everyone else is. We are still to train today but hopefully everyone will still be available.”She continued: “Ellen is doing ok. Of course, she wants to be here and we want her here too but she needs time and hopefully she will get her negative result again soon.“Yes, it is always the case [that other players have an opportunity when someone is out] so we had our plans and we are trying to move forward with our plans and strategies.“Now, we don’t have the opportunity to play Ellen and that will give chances to other players, so we will see tomorrow.”

England to wear new away kit

19:51 , Michael Jones

Rather bizarrely England will wear their new Euro 2022 away kit tonight which is orange - the same colour as the Netherlands’ home kit.

The visitors meanwhile will wear white - the same colour of England’s home kit.

Adding to the parallels is the fact that England are coached by a Dutchwoman and the Netherlands coached by an Englishman.

Netherlands ‘not ready’ to win Euros

19:48 , Michael Jones

Netherlands head coach, Mark Parsons - who hails from England originally - says that his team are not yet ready to win the Euros but that tonight’s fixture will give him a good idea where his team are at ahead of the tournament starting in July.

“The England game is going to be key because you don’t really know where you are until you play top teams,” he adds.

“We will not be ready at the beginning of this tournament to win it. But the idea is we don’t have to be ready to win it at the beginning, we just have to be good enough to beat Sweden and Portugal and Switzerland.

“Now is that possible? Absolutely. We need to be ready by the last game. We have got to get there and we are going to need to grow through the tournament, need to win games we should win and win games maybe we shouldn’t, and that is what top teams do.”

England’s Fran Kirby relieved to prove her fitness in time for Euro 2022

19:44 , Michael Jones

Fran Kirby admits she had to block out any fear of missing out on the Euros – after winning her fitness race for England.

The Chelsea forward has been included in the Lionesses squad for next month’s home tournament despite not playing for the Blues since February.

She struggled with extreme fatigue and had an oxygen tent installed at her home to aid her recovery to ultimately seal a place in Sarina Wiegman’s squad.

England’s Fran Kirby relieved to prove her fitness in time for Euro 2022

Miedema starts on the bench

19:40 , Michael Jones

Vivianne Miedema has netted 21 goals in her last 13 games for the Netherlands, including seven in her last two – largely courtesy of a double hat-trick against Cyprus in April.

But, she’s picked up a knock before the match and will start from the bench this evening.

White misses tonight’s game

19:37 , Michael Jones

Ellen White has scored 14 goals in her last 13 starts for England in all competitions, netting a brace on four different occasions within this run (three vs Northern Ireland, two vs North Macedonia, two vs Luxembourg and three vs Latvia).

But, the striker has tested positive for Covid-19 and will play no part in tonight’s fixture.

‘Many countries are favourites:’ England manager Sarina Wiegman believes Euro 2022 is wide open

19:34 , Michael Jones

England head coach Sarina Wiegman insists next month’s Euro 2022 is wide open with no clear tournament favourites.

The Lionesses take on Wiegman’s home nation the Netherlands in the second of three warm-up matches at Elland Road on Friday night.

Wiegman led the Dutch to Euro glory on home soil in 2017 and also to the runners-up spot at the 2019 World Cup.

The former Netherlands midfielder, unbeaten in 12 matches in charge of the Lionesses, said: “I consider them [England and the Netherlands] as two very good teams and of course we play a home tournament and the Netherlands have the trophy right now.”

‘Many countries are favourites:’ Sarina Wiegman believes Euro 2022 is wide open

Sarina Wiegman wants ‘more ruthlessness’ from England Women despite victory

19:30 , Michael Jones

England boss Sarina Wiegman acknowledged the positives from her side’s victory over Belgium, but also stressed that “more ruthlessness” would be required at this summer’s European Championship.

The Lionesses won 3-0 at Molineux in the first of three warm-up games ahead of hosting the Euros next month.

They took the lead in the 62nd minute as Chloe Kelly’s shot went in via a deflection off Amber Tysiak, fellow substitute Rachel Daly doubled the lead four minutes later, and the win was wrapped up with seven minutes of normal time remaining when skipper Leah Williamson hit the bar and the ball went in off goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.

That was after a first half that had seen the hosts fail to make a breakthrough despite creating a flurry of chances.

Sarina Wiegman wants ‘more ruthlessness’ from England Women despite victory

Wiegman on ‘very special game’ against the Netherlands

19:27 , Michael Jones

England boss, Sarina Wiegman says that tonight’s match against the Netherlands will be ‘very special’ as she takes charge against her old team.

"It’s a very special game obviously because I’m from the Netherlands and I worked with that team for many years but now I work with England," said Wiegman.

"It’s really nice to see the [Netherlands’] team again. It is just a game in the end though but yes, it is special.

"I think the Netherlands are the strongest opponent we play [in these friendlies]. The others are going to the Euros so good opponents too but I think what the Netherlands have shown over the years, they are really good."

Wiegman added: “We want to win every game but we also want to see an improvement in our style of play,”

“That is what we focus on and hopefully that brings us the win. But yes, it helps when you do win as it gives you an extra boost of confidence.”

England vs Netherlands

19:23 , Michael Jones

Since taking over from the current England boss Sarina Wiegman, the Netherlands have gone unbeaten in their four away games under Englishman Mark Parsons (three wins, one draw), keeping clean sheets in three of them.

England’s Lucy Bronze pleased to end speculation over club future ahead of Euros

19:19 , Michael Jones

Lucy Bronze is delighted her club future has been sorted ahead of the start of this summer’s Euros campaign with England after she chose a move to Barcelona over a return to Lyon.

It was announced in May that the right-back was leaving Manchester City at the end of her contract and last weekend a move to Barca on a two-year deal was finalised.

Barca were Champions League winners in 2021 and runners-up last season, losing in the final to Lyon, whom Bronze played for from 2017 to 2020.

Asked if it was nice to go into the Euros with a clear head having completed the transfer, the 30-year-old, holder of 89 England caps, said: “Definitely.”

England’s Lucy Bronze pleased to end speculation over club future ahead of Euros

England full-back Lucy Bronze joins Barcelona

19:15 , Michael Jones

England defender Lucy Bronze has joined Barcelona after signing a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old left Manchester City this summer and joins the Primera Division winners, who won all 30 league games last season.

Bronze made 111 appearances for City, scoring 14 goals, in her second spell at the club.

She previously played for the club between 2014 and 2017, winning the FAWSL title, Continental Tyres League Cup and Women’s FA Cup.

England full-back Lucy Bronze joins Barcelona

England vs Netherlands

19:11 , Michael Jones

England come into this game undefeated in their last 12 across all competitions with 10 wins and two draws, during which time they have scored 75 goals and conceded only twice.

They last had a longer run between March 2010 and March 2011, where they went 13 in a row without defeat (nine wins, four draws)The Netherlands have only lost one of their last 16 matches (nine winse, six draws), with that lone defeat coming against France back in February.

Their two games since that defeat have been a 12-0 win over Cyprus and a 5-1 win against South Africa.

Netherlands starting XI

19:07 , Michael Jones

Netherlands XI: Van Veenendaal; Wilms, Van der Gragt, Nouwen, D. Janssen; Spitse, Groenen, Pelova; Roord, Beerensteyn, Martens

‘I definitely felt the pressure’: Jill Scott relieved to make England Euros squad

19:03 , Michael Jones

Jill Scott has described waiting for England’s squad announcement for next month’s home European Championship as “probably one of the worst days of my life”.

Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman named her final 23-player squad last week and Scott, behind only Fara Williams as England’s most capped women’s player, feared she would not make the cut.

But the 35-year-old will appear at her 10th major tournament for her country at Euro 2022 and could make her 157th international appearance when the Lionesses take on the Netherlands in Friday’s friendly at Elland Road.

Jill Scott reveals ‘pressure’ to make England’s Women’s Euros squad

England vs Netherlands

18:59 , Michael Jones

This will be the first meeting between England and the Netherlands since the 2017 European Championships; a tournament which the Netherlands went on to win, after beating England 3-0 in the semi-final.

The Netherlands will be looking to beat England in consecutive matches for the first time, following their 3-0 win back in 2017.

The three goals they scored in the last meeting were as many as they had netted in their nine previous games against England combined - one win, two draws and six defeats.

England team changes

18:55 , Michael Jones

Sarina Wiegman makes five changes to the England line-up that faced Belgium last Thursday. Rachel Daly and Alex Greenwood slot into the defence in place of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Demi Stokes.

Fran Kirby replaces Georgia Stanway in midfield with Bethany England and Chloe Kelly also starting after making appearances off the bench last week. Beth Mead drops to the bench but Ellen White has left the squad after testing positive for Covid-19.

Playing at Elland Road a dream says Daly

18:51 , Michael Jones

Rachel Daly earns a starting place in tonight’s England line-up and will make her first appearance at Elland Road in the match against the Netherlands.

Daly, a life-long Leeds fan from Harrogate, said it was "nice to be back home" and she will be fulfilling a childhood dream if she plays.

"I haven’t played here before so it will be special. My whole family are die-hard Leeds fans but any game I get to put the England shirt on is special so I will treat it like any other," she said.

"Obviously it has an added element of sentiment but I just want to win the game and play as best we can.

"Playing for Leeds for most of my childhood I thought maybe one day [I would play at Elland Road] but not for England. You can only dream for that moment."

England starting XI

18:47 , Michael Jones

England XI: Earps, Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Daly, Walsh, Williamson, Kirby, Kelly, England, Hemp

Women’s football now completely different from Euro 2005 in England says Powell

18:47 , Michael Jones

Hope Powell has spoken of the importance of the Women’s Euros England hosted 17 years ago in the journey to the “completely different” current picture ahead of this summer’s home tournament.

Brighton boss Powell was in charge of the Lionesses when they were hosts at Euro 2005, opening with a 3-2 victory over Finland in front of almost 30,000 fans at the Etihad Stadium, sealed by a late goal from then-17-year-old Karen Carney.

After that campaign ended at the group stage, Powell’s England tenure – running from 1998 to 2013 – would subsequently include overseeing a runners-up finish at the 2009 Euros in Finland, and she also managed the Great Britain side at the London 2012 Olympics.

Hope Powell: Women’s football now completely different from Euro 2005 in England

Daly poised to make 50th appearance for England

18:43 , Michael Jones

England defender Rachel Daly could make her 50th appearance for the national team tonight but has admitted it will be "hard” to do so without her dad in attendance.

Daly is a lifelong Leeds fan and began her career with the club. Her father passed away in September just before England’s 10-0 victory over Luxembourg. Daly scored in that game and showed off a wrist band with the word ‘Dad’ on it.

"It will be hard for me that he is not there but he will have the best seat in the house," said the 30-year-old. "Touch wood I make an appearance and I can get that 50th cap. My dad was a die-hard Leeds fan and he was the person who made me the biggest Leeds fan.

"If I can make him proud, then that is all that matters to me."

A long wait for the Lionesses

18:39 , Michael Jones

England’s women are playing in Leeds tonight for the first time since 1983 when they defeated Scotland 2-0 in a European Championship qualifier.

Chloe Kelly marks international comeback with first England goal in comfortable win over Belgium

18:35 , Michael Jones

Last time out Chloe Kelly marked her England comeback with her first international goal as the Lionesses beat Belgium 3-0 at Molineux in their first warm-up match ahead of next month’s home Euros.

Having come on at the break for her first international appearance since returning to action from an ACL injury in April, winger Kelly put Sarina Wiegman’s side ahead with a deflected shot in the 62nd minute.

Fellow substitute Rachel Daly added a strike four minutes later to double the lead, and the third then came with seven minutes of normal time remaining when skipper Leah Williamson hit the bar and the ball went in off goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.

It proved a comfortable victory in the end after a first half that had seen the hosts fail to make a breakthrough despite creating a flurry of chances, which included Williamson being denied by a goal-line clearance.

Kelly marks international comeback with first England goal in big win over Belgium

England vs Netherlands

18:25 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s covergae of England vs the Netherlands.

England’s women continue their preparations for Euro 2022 with a warm-up match against the Netherlands at Elland Road tonight. Head coach Sarina Wiegman takes charge of the Lionesses against her old team who are one of the favourites to win the tournament in July after reaching the final of the last two editions and winning Euro 2017 when Wiegman was in charge.

England defeated Belgium 3-0 last Thursday in the first of three warm-up matches leading up to the Euros but will face a sterner test this evening and the result will go some way of showing how likely the Lionesses chances are of lifting the trophy.

Kick off is at 8pm and we’ll be bringing all the updates, team news and more from Elland Road.