Ella Toone's late strike keeps Sarina Wiegman's side just about alive in the competition, but it's not in their hands ahead of a trip to Scotland
Playing 'Survivor' by Destiny's Child at half time was perhaps an optimistic choice by the person in charge of the music at Wembley Stadium on Friday night, as by that point England's UEFA Women's Nations League hopes seemed dead and gone. Two first half goals from Lineth Beerensteyn put the Netherlands in firm control – but that the match eventually ended in a 3-2 win for the hosts, which just about keeps their chances in this competition alive, showed that the DJ's belief was far from misplaced.
England were nowhere near their ruthless selves on the night. Errors were costly in the first half, both Mary Earps and Jess Carter failing to cover themselves in glory as Lineth Beerensteyn netted twice to leave the Lionesses with it all to do. However, Georgia Stanway kickstarted an incredible second half comeback, scoring and assisting as England pulled it back to 2-2 on the hour with two goals in two minutes.
Had Sarina Wiegman's side lost, they would've been eliminated from the Nations League altogether and the chances of Great Britain being able to send a women's football team to next summer's Olympics would've been over, too. But up popped Ella Toone in stoppage time to score a late winner and leave England in contention by the barest of margins. Head-to-head records, goal difference and goals scored are all likely to all come into play in the permutations when they finish their Nations League group stage campaign in Scotland on Tuesday.
GOAL rates England's players from Wembley Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Mary Earps (4/10):
Should've saved the second goal. Didn't have much to do after that.
Lucy Bronze (5/10):
Linked up with the attack well but lost the ball too much.
Jess Carter (3/10):
Got tangled up for the Netherlands' opener and then pulled out of a challenge in the build-up to their second. Subbed off just after the hour.
Alex Greenwood (5/10):
Got turned inside out a little too easily for Beerensteyn's second.
Niamh Charles (5/10):
Had a problem in dealing with Pelova throughout the first half. Improved in the second.
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Keira Walsh (6/10):
Failed to take control of the game in the first half. Improved in the second.
Georgia Stanway (7/10):
Scored the goal that kickstarted England's comeback and then teed up Hemp to level the scores.
Fran Kirby (5/10):
Another player who couldn't get on the ball to make an impact.
Getty ImagesAttack
Chloe Kelly (5/10):
Showed flashes on the attack but nothing too significant before taken off at half time.
Lauren Hemp (7/10):
Tested Van Domselaar early on after a nice run in behind and got a goal her effort deserved when she equalised with a lovely, well-placed strike.
Lauren James (6/10):
Lively at times, picking up the ball and driving at the Dutch defence when she could. Lovely cross for Stanway's goal.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Beth Mead (6/10):
Came on at half time for her first England appearance since last November. Added conviction to the attack.
Esme Morgan (5/10):
Introduced just past the hour in a surprising switch up in the heart of defence. Didn't have much to do.
Alessia Russo (5/10):
Had just over 20 minutes to make an impact. Had a couple of bright moments.
Ella Toone (6/10):
Came on at the same time as Russo and scored the goal that keeps England alive in the Nations League.
Rachel Daly (N/A):
Only on for the final few minutes.
Sarina Wiegman (6/10):
Needing to win, she picked an exciting, attacking line-up but the midfield couldn't get control of the game and defensive errors crept in again. Didn't do much wrong on the night but England's precarious situation comes from problems that have built up over the past year or so, too.