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Published 10 July 2025 4 min read
England Women's Senior Team

Lauren James' major tournament goal contribution record

Written by:

Holly Hunt

We break down Lauren James' impressive record at the last two major tournaments

PLAYER PROFILE: LAUREN JAMES

With a brace against the Netherlands in last night’s 4-0 win at UEFA Women’s EURO, Lauren James made it eight goal contributions in five starts at major tournaments for the Lionesses.

The England and Chelsea forward, who made her tournament debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, has five goals and three assists and counting – the most of any player across the previous two tournaments.

Here, we break down that impressive record.

Goal – England v Netherlands

The Lionesses bounced back from defeat against France in Zurich in style with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands in their second Group D match-up.

And it was James who opened the scoring with 22 minutes on the clock with a stunning strike, picking her spot in the top corner from the edge of the area which all started with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton’s ball forward.

Goal – England v Netherlands

With England 2-0 up at the break thanks to James and Georgia Stanway’s effort on the stroke of half-time, the forward added a third on the hour mark to double her individual tally.

This time, the 23 year old slotted home from close range after team-mate Ella Toone saw her initial effort blocked but James was well placed to capitalise, making it two goals in as many games at the tournament.

Goal – China v England

The Lionesses ran out 6-1 winners over China in their final game in Group D two years ago at the 2023 Women’s World Cup as James played a starring role, managing a hat-trick of assists and two goals of her own.

In a routine straight off the training ground, the Chelsea youngster arrowed her strike into the bottom corner from range from Alex Greenwood’s well-rehearsed set piece to add her name to the scoresheet.

Goal – China v England

And James – eyeing the tournament’s Golden Boot – was at the double when, with 66 minutes played, the Lionesses made it 4-1 at Adelaide United’s Hindmarsh Stadium.

Jess Carter’s ball into the box was inch-perfect for James whose strike looped over opposition stopper before wheeling away to celebrate with her team-mates with England round of 16 bound.

Goal – England v Denmark

A goal which saw James open her account for her country at a major tournament, the Lionesses star scored the only goal of the game in England’s second group stage clash against Denmark.

And it was a strike which proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win in Sydney to make it back-to-back victories after being Haiti in the opener.

Assist – China v England

Alessia Russo’s first goal at a World Cup came courtesy of James who was on hand to set up the striker in England’s group stage tie against China.

The forward nodded the ball down after Lauren Hemp’s cross, looking for Lucy Bronze, was cleared away but only as far as James on the edge of the box who bagged her first assist of the game.

Assist – China v England

Once again, James was the provider, this time threading a pass through to Hemp who raced through on goal to make it 2-0 against China.

It marked James’ second assist of the game and she wasn’t finished there, with a third assist and two goals yet to come.

Assist – China v England

After being denied the match ball after seeing one of her strikes ruled out, James was at the assist treble after setting up Chloe Kelly for England’s fifth goal of the game against China.

Spotting the run of Kelly, the forward’s ball over the top was chased down by Kelly to make it 5-1 to the Lionesses.

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