Lionesses

After a turbulent week in the England camp, the Lionesses put on a show at Wembley Stadium defeating Portugal 6-0, with a first-half hat trick from Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones.

A shocking announcement of Mary Earps’ international retirement overshadowed the England camp this week as a huge gap was left in the Lionesses team, significantly between the goalkeepers. Hannah Hampton, now the only capped England goalkeeper in the current squad, was left with immense pressure on her shoulders to perform as the competition for England’s number one spot was now removed and, rightfully so, gifted to her. After playing every WSL minute in the 24/25 season for Chelsea, Lionesses fans are concerned about the risks of having little experience at the back ahead of the Euros this summer.

It was Beever-Jones who opened the score sheet, driving past the poor Portugal defence and placing the ball in the bottom corner. It wasn’t long before the Portuguese defence were punished again, after Beth Mead’s shot was blocked by Ines Pereira, Lucy Bronze knocked the ball into the back of the net.

Champions League winner, Mead, also secured a place on the score sheet to make it 4-0 for England with only 30 minutes on the clock. Despite the concern from England fans that the defensive holes of Millie Bright and Mary Earps were going to show, Portugal were silenced for the entire of the first-half by England’s backline leaving them without a single shot on target. Before the final minutes of the first 45, Beever-Jones secured her hat-rick as England remained consistently dominant against the visitors.

The star of the Lionesses’ show at Wembley stadium had to have been Beever-Jones. Arguably, she was only given the starting position for this fixture due to Alessia Russo’s injury but it’s certain that her performance in this game will give the England manager, Sarina Wiegman, plenty to consider ahead of this summer’s Euros.

Wiegman opted for a triple substitution ten minutes into the second half, seeing Alex Greenwood play her first minutes in an England shirt for over five months. Similarly, Lauren Hemp was substituted for Chloe Kelly, Hemp also playing her first England minutes in 2025 after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year. A less eventful second half included only one goal from Arsenal loanee, Kelly, proving the instant impact she can have as soon as she steps on the field.

The final score, 6-0, provided England fans with comfort as the team looks to reclaim their European title in only five weeks time. For one last time out at Wembley for several months, the Lionesses proved that despite a disruptive time in and around the camp, the team can come together and perform at the highest standards.

After Spain’s victory against Belgium, England still need to defeat Spain on Tuesday in order to top the Nations League group and advance to the next stage of the competition. Post-match, Aggie Beever-Jones described herself as “delighted” to become the third England player ever to score a hat-trick at Wembley stadium. “It was my first time playing at Wembley for England, so I don’t think it could have got much better than that.”

"The first half from us as a team was incredible”, she added, “I’m just so happy if I’m honest!”

Grace Clinton praised the return of Lauren Hemp who hasn’t played on the international stage in six months due to injury, “out of possession, in possession, she's an unbelievable player. She’s got 1 v 1s, she’s got dribbling, she’s got pace, like her runs in behind, she’s got everything.”

Hemp agreed, “it’s been a long six months but I feel like, coming back in an England shirt today, it sort of also felt like yesterday that I was back here. It feels great.” She added, “It's been tricky but I feel fit, I feel fresh, so hopefully I’ll get some minutes again before a big summer ahead.”

Earlier in the week, young Lioness, Michelle Agyemang described what it would be like to be a part of the team heading to Switzerland for England to defend their European title. “I think it's an honour to represent my country, no matter where it is or what age group. To be there would be an absolute honour, and we’ll see what the future holds.”

Wiegman has left Agyemang waiting for her Wembley debut as she started as a substitute for the fixture against Portugal. She revealed the last time she was at Wembley, “I think when I was 15 I was a ball girl, that was it. Yes, England versus Northern Ireland, something like that, at Wembley, a couple of years ago, they got a few of the girls out from the pathway.” She added, “I’d never been to Wembley before, so the atmosphere was crazy, and yes, it was interesting but I really liked it and I enjoyed the experience.”

If Agyemang doesn’t get a spot on Wiegaman’s roster for the European Championship, the Under-19s Euros also takes place this summer and no she will no doubt be called upon for the tournament if she doesn’t head to Switzerland with the senior Lionesses.