Cascarino shines in France’s big win to eliminate Netherlands, top tough group

Inspired by Delphine Cascarino’s stunning six-minute spell in the second half, France surged past the Netherlands 5-2 on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s European Championship.

France’s third straight win ensured they won Group D, ahead of England.

The French would have been eliminated by a three-goal loss and, when the Netherlands led 2-1 at one stage, rued a bad miss by Cascarino shooting over an unguarded goal.

But the San Diego Wave winger responded with a devastating burst of running and shooting to settle the game.

Cascarino said she had been “really frustrated in the first half because I barely touched the ball. So I was determined to do much better in the second half.”

First, Cascarino stole the ball from the Dutch at halfway and ran directly at the defense to set up Marie-Antoinette Katoto for a neat finish in the 61st.

Cascarino was even better three minutes later, taking a high ball 50 meters (yards) from goal and dribbling directly at goal to unleash a rising shot from outside the penalty area.

In the 67th, Cascarino scored with a well-placed shot when the ball came to her after Katoto’s shot struck the inside of both posts. Sakina Karchaoui added a penalty in stoppage time.

Describing Cascarino as a star, France coach Laurent Bonadei said: “At some point you have to light the fire so she can show her full potential.”

A nervous evening became a coronation for France as the top team in the toughest group at Euro 2025. France returns to Basel to face Germany on Saturday, with the winner on a path to play Spain in the semi-finals. Spain plays host nation Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Friday in Bern.

Associated Press