It was a true football spectacle. France defeated the Netherlands 5-2 in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Group D match. Thanks to this win, the French team secured a perfect record and a certain berth in the quarter-finals, delivering an absolute display of footballing class in the second half. The undisputed heroine of the match was Delphine Cascarino, who showcased great talent, speed, and lethal finishing.
In the opening minutes the Netherlands tried to dictate the tempo, attempting a more aggressive approach. Yet it was the French who first carved out a serious chance. In the 22nd minute Sandie Toletti opened the scoring for France, finishing off a textbook team move. Just four minutes later the Netherlands equalised through Victoria Pelova, who calmly took advantage of a goal-mouth opportunity. A few minutes later French defender Selma Bacha put the ball into her own net, and the Netherlands sensationally took a 2-1 lead. The Orange fans’ euphoria, however, proved premature.
After the break Laurent Bonadei’s side returned to the pitch more motivated than ever. In the 61st minute Marie-Antoinette Katoto, after a fine pass from Cascarino, calmly levelled the score. That was the turning point of the match. France began to take control. Within the next six minutes the Basel stadium witnessed a real football storm. In the space of three minutes Delphine Cascarino struck twice. France now led by two goals. In stoppage time Sakina Karchaoui converted a penalty to set the final score at 5-2.
The Dutch side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, relying on the attacking potential and experience of their biggest star, Vivianne Miedema. The striker was active on the pitch, having earlier in the tournament scored her 100th goal for the national team. Yet even her presence and attacking verve were not enough against a French defence that completely dominated the second half.
After the match coach Andries Jonker stressed that the equaliser for 2-2 was the pivotal moment. From then on, his team lost confidence, something the French attack exploited ruthlessly.
Laurent Bonadei managed the match tactically to perfection. Thanks to excellent substitutions and skilful management of the team’s physical resources, France were unstoppable in the second half. The attacking play of Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto sealed the victory, and Bonadei could not hide his satisfaction with his team. After the match he said that during the interval he urged the players to stay calm and focus on their own game. The strategy produced the desired result.
Cascarino was unanimously named player of the match. She scored twice and provided the assist for Katoto’s equaliser. Her teammates repeatedly emphasised that Delphine is a key figure on the pitch—a complete player with extraordinary speed, precision, and determination.
Laurent Bonadei, France coach:
“We didn’t need to create problems where there were none. I told the players to enjoy the game. We came through the group of death with a perfect record and a great goal difference. I believe we can go really far.”
Andries Jonker, Netherlands coach (who announced his resignation after the match):
“When we conceded the goal for 2-2, something broke. The girls did what they could, but it wasn’t enough. I don’t think we deserved to advance, but the team has huge potential for the future.”
The victory sealed France’s dominance in the group stage and guaranteed them a quarter-final place. The French finished the group with a perfect record and a +7 goal difference.
On 19 July France will face Germany in the quarter-finals. The match promises more great excitement. Will the French attacking machine maintain its form? We will find out soon, but one thing is certain: after the match against the Netherlands, expectations for the French team are huge, and their appetite for success grows with every goal at Euro 2025.
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