England's next generation arrive to pummel Portugal

After all the talk this week of who's not going to the Euros, England made sure they moved the conversation onto those who will be travelling to Switzerland this summer.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

Aggie Beever-Jones produced a performance, and scored a hattrick against Portugal on her first Wembley start, that meant the excitement around the Chelsea forward will go up to another level ahead of Euro 2025. The Women's PFA Young Player of the Year seized her opportunity, with the type of display that comes from the sheer hunger of wanting to really make your case for going to a major tournament. It's what Sarina Wiegman wanted to see.

Beever-Jones followed the instructions. "As cliche as it sounds, Sarina said, 'It's a new kit, new England today. Go out there and put a graft in'," Beever-Jones revealed. "I think her words were 'destroy them'." This was a reborn England, putting the noise of the past week behind them in style. "I told them we have a job to do," Wiegman said. "It helps when you have energy and fun." Beever-Jones played with that spirit. She left nothing to chance and was not the only one.

This was perhaps not what Mary Earps had in mind when the retiring England goalkeeper spoke of wanting to step aside to "give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive". But Beever-Jones visibly grew in confidence with a Wembley goal tucked under her belt from the third minute, making curved runs behind the defence and demanding the ball with the sharpness of her movement. Behind her Jess Park brought nimble touches and the intelligence to turn; Grace Clinton strode around midfield as if she owned it.