The Lionesses overcame a shaky start to the tournament after losing to France in their opening match. Regrouping after that initial disappointment, emphatic wins over the Netherlands and Wales saw Sarina Wiegman’s side score 10 goals in those final two games, but it was not only the goalscorers who contributed to the uptick in form.

Highlighted in this previous article for her efforts in winning the ball back in the 4-0 win over the Netherlands, Chelsea’s Keira Walsh picked up the Player of the Match award for her performance against Wales.

‘We just wanted to go out there, be confident and score some goals,’ said Walsh afterwards. ‘It was a really fast start from the team. We were playing free-flowing football, so we’re happy with our performance.’

Free-flowing football

Walsh played a key role in keeping the ball moving, making 66 accurate passes during the game, 32 of which were inside the final third of the pitch.

Across the whole tournament, the Blues midfielder has completed 85% of her 172 total passes, finding a team-mate on 145 occasions. Yet in typically understated fashion, Walsh was keen to avoid getting carried away over England’s latest big win.

‘Potentially,’ Walsh replied when asked if this was a statement win for the Lionesses. ‘We don’t try and focus on that too much. We take it a game at a time, and we’re happy with our performance tonight.

‘We know Sweden is going to be a really tough game, so we’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re happy with our performance tonight.’

Confidence in front of goal

Walsh started all six games when England won the European Championship in 2022, and has so far been named in Wiegman’s starting XI in every match at Euro 2025.

Known for her ability to run the midfield at the highest level, Walsh recently added another string to her bow, scoring her first international goal after 83 caps during a 5-0 victory over Belgium in April.

Having broken her duck before the tournament began, Walsh then added a second England goal with a shot from the edge of the penalty area against France in the opening group stage game at Euro 2025.

The Chelsea star also fired three shots on goal against Wales, and was unlucky not to score when goalkeeper Olivia Clark somehow saved her curling attempt from distance.

After the match, the midfielder explained the reason behind her newly discovered belief in front of goal.

‘I think it’s probably more the confidence, and there’s a little joke with the girls that I’m going for top goalscorer in the group stages for England,’ she smiled. ‘Khiara (Keating) was laughing about it after the game with me.

‘I think it’s nice that the girls have always got my back and are telling me to be confident and take shots, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do a little bit more. Unfortunately, I didn’t get one tonight, but it’s just nice to be in and around those chances.’

Defensive duels

Walsh may have become more confident to take shots, but she’s certainly not forgotten her defensive duties in the team.

Her Player of the Match performance against Wales was forged from her impressive contribution all over the pitch, as she also weighed in with three tackles during the 90 minutes, more than any other England player on the night.

The midfielder also made one interception and won a foul, as she typically helped the team win the ball back from the opposition.

While Sweden will undoubtedly pose a tougher test for England in the quarter-final than the inexperienced Wales did in the final group stage game on Sunday night, you can bank on the reliable Keira Walsh to run the midfield with a hardworking and high-quality performance.

She may even grab herself a goal.