Wednesday night brought more than just a football result—it gave fans a front-row seat to a heartfelt moment between two international stars who just happen to be in love.
England’s Beth Mead and the Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema, partners off the pitch, found themselves on opposite sides in a high-stakes Euro 2025 clash.
England Bounce Back in Style
After a shaky start to their Euro campaign with a loss to France, the Lionesses needed a response—and they delivered big time.
England stormed to a 4-0 win over the Netherlands, with standout performances from Lauren James, who scored twice, and goals from Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone.
It was exactly the reset Sarina Wiegman’s team needed.
Beth and Vivianne Share a Quiet Post-Match Moment
Speaking after the game, Mead opened up about what it was like facing her partner in such a high-pressure match.
“I haven’t properly spoken to her yet,” she told Match of the Day.
“I gave her a cuddle and said we’d talk later. She needs a bit of time to cool off.”
Mead acknowledged that moments like these are tough.
“You want your partner to do well, but obviously not when you’re playing against each other,” she said.
“She was there for me when we lost to France, so now I’ll do the same for her.”
Miedema Had Her Game Face On
Before the match, Miedema made it clear that she was fully focused on helping the Netherlands win—romance or not.
“We don’t talk about the game,” she said in an interview.
“That’s our golden rule. For once, we’re not friends on matchday.”
The Dutch striker, now playing for Manchester City after her long Arsenal stint, added, “If it’s not a great moment for Beth, it’s not really my concern. I’m here to do a job.”
No Hard Feelings—Just the Reality of the Game
Miedema was asked if she’d be upset if England and Mead were knocked out.
Her answer was candid: “She probably won’t speak to me for a bit,” she laughed.
“I’ve got close friends on that team, but this is just part of football.
I’ve been on the losing end in past tournaments. It’s nothing new.”
A Complicated Group with More Drama to Come
England’s emphatic win, combined with France’s victory over Wales, means Group D is now wide open. Both England
and the Netherlands still have a chance to make the knockout stage.
So, it’s possible we’ll be seeing both Mead and Miedema pushing forward in the tournament—maybe even side by side again, but hopefully not against each other just yet.