The Lionesses were in devastating form during their second outing at the 2022 finals, with a record-setting bar being raised a little higher
The UEFA Women’s Euros can always be relied upon to deliver intrigue and excitement, with the likes of England, Germany and Sweden having conjured up some of the most memorable performances in the competition’s history.
Goals are rarely in short supply, with some destructive attacking units filling their boots against unwitting opponents, and the record books continue to be rewritten on a regular basis.
The Lionesses, as hosts in 2022, have been in history-making form of late, with another entry added to the very top of a list regarding biggest victories on a continental stage. Here is what that particular roll of honour looks like…
GettyEngland 8-0 Norway | 2022
After opening a bid for glory on home soil with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Austria, England broke their shackles in style during a second group stage outing in 2022.
Georgia Stanway got the Lionesses off to the perfect start when converting a 12th-minute penalty, but those at the Amex Stadium in Brighton could not have predicted that the floodgates would open in such style.
Lauren Hemp doubled the home side’s lead, before Ellen White and Beth Mead grabbed a brace apiece to have Sarina Wiegman’s side six goals in front at half-time – another Women’s Euros record.
While England took their foot off the gas a little in the second 45, there was time for Alessio Russo to step off the bench and get in on the act, while Arsenal star Mead went on to complete an impressive hat-trick.
AdvertisementGettyEngland 6-0 Scotland | 2017
The Lionesses were already record-holders before their crushing victory over Norway, with neighbours Scotland blown away in a Battle of Britain encounter back in 2017.
That contest also took place during the group stage, on Dutch soil in Utrecht, with the Scots brought crashing down to earth with a bump after bringing their long wait for a first major international tournament appearance to a close.
Pre-match injuries heading into an eagerly-anticipated opening encounter did their cause few favours, and England were in an unforgiving mood.
Three goals were recorded either side of the interval, with Jodie Taylor netting the first Euros hat-trick in 20 years while Ellen White, Jordan Nobbs and Toni Duggan also got on the scoresheet.
GettySweden 5-0 Finland | 2013
The Swedes were expected to go well on home turf and made a serious show of intent during a group stage outing against Scandinavian rivals in Gothenburg.
The sight of star strikers Kosovare Asllani and Lotta Schelin finding the target came as no surprise – with the latter bagging a brace – but an unlikely source of goals got a five-star showing up and running.
Centre-half Nilla Fischer set Sweden on their way by putting them 2-0 up, with her considerable threat from set-pieces proving impossible to contain.
Finland struggled throughout and only mustered their first shot on target with 11 minutes left on the clock.
GettyGermany 5-0 Russia | 2001
Germany would, during a run of six consecutive Euros triumphs, ultimately emerge victorious on home soil in 2001.
They delivered a convincing display of what they were capable of when eventually running away with a group stage game against Russia despite being kept out for 43 minutes.
Bettina Wiegmann broke the deadlock shortly before the break, and the Germans were then off to the races in Erfurt.
Birgit Prinz hit the net within five minutes of the restart, before Maren Meinert and a deadly double from Sandra Smisek rounded off a comfortable afternoon’s work for the most dominant team on the continent.