England's Lionesses put on a flawless display, with Lauren James shining brightly, quelling criticism and keeping alive their aspirations.

Lauren James Shines in England's Euro 2025 Campaign

Lauren James, the 23-year-old prodigy, has been the talk of the town in England's Euro 2025 campaign. Despite a rocky start against France in the tournament opener, James has silenced her critics with a standout performance against the Netherlands.

James' inclusion in the team was debated before the Netherlands match, but Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, backed her decision, and it paid off. James started the game and put on a show, scoring a brace that inflicted the most goals the Netherlands have ever conceded in a single game at a women's major tournament.

The performance against the Netherlands was particularly noteworthy. James' first goal triggered an avalanche of scores, and one of them could be a contender for goal of the tournament. Her sparkling display earned her applause that was hugely deserved, and those who were calling for her to be benched have now been silenced.

Unfortunately, England's squad as a whole did not perform well against France, resulting in a 2-1 loss in the opening game. However, James' performance against the Netherlands has given the team a much-needed boost. England now needs to beat Wales on Sunday to progress in the tournament.

James' start against the Netherlands was her first since April due to a hamstring injury. Despite carrying injuries, James was criticized by parts of the public after England's Euro 2025 first-round loss to France. However, teammate Jess Carter highlighted that this differential treatment reflects broader issues, including racial bias, as black players risk facing astronomical social media abuse compared to white players.

James is considered the very best of England and is their engine when everyone is clicking. Chloe Kelly replaced James when she was subbed during the Netherlands match, but her impact was felt throughout the game. James' performance against the Netherlands should earn her a starting spot in every match she is available to.

As England moves forward in the Euro 2025 tournament, James' performances will be crucial. Her talent, determination, and resilience have already made her a fan favourite, and she is poised to lead England to glory.