Netherlands Women 3-0 England Women: Hosts too strong for Lionesses

England Women's hopes of winning Euro 2017 came to an end at the semi-final stage after a 3-0 defeat to Netherlands on Thursday night.

The hosts took a deserved lead when Vivianne Miedema headed in her second goal of the tournament - and 18th in her last 20 internationals - midway through the first half.

The Oranje doubled their advantage just past the hour-mark when Danielle van de Donk latched on to Fara Williams' misjudged back header and beat Siobhan Chamberlain.

And Netherlands sealed their place in Sunday's final against Denmark thanks to Millie Bright's injury-time own goal.

The hosts broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when the lively Jackie Groenen broke clear down the right wing, before standing up a cross for the waiting Miedema at the far post.

Miedema still had lots of work to do, however, but the Arsenal forward leapt powerfully to place her header back from where the cross had come, with the ball nestling in the far corner of the net.

The Netherlands deserved that goal, but England responded well to falling behind for the first time in the tournament and were unlucky not to draw level four minutes later following a left-wing corner.

Jade Moore did well to get her head on the delivery, only for her effort to be touched on to the post by Sherida Spitse on the goal-line.

The next goal was always going to be crucial, and unfortunately for the Lionesses, it went to their opponents 15 minutes after the break following a terrible mistake by the experienced Williams.

The midfielder tried to find Chamberlain with a back header, only for the alert Van de Donk to intercept, before touching the ball past the advancing England goalkeeper.

Thereafter England threw everything they had at the hosts in an attempt to get back into the contest, only for Sari van Veenendaal to deny Jodie Taylor with an impressive stop, before substitute Toni Duggan had a shot cleared off the line by Spitse again.

And as the Lionesses went in search of a consolation, they were cruelly caught on the counter as Bright inadvertently turned Lieke Martens' left-wing cross past a helpless Chamberlain.

Player of the Match: Vivianne Miedema

The Arsenal forward made the crucial breakthrough with a sensational far-post header that compatriot Ruud Gullit would have been proud of.

And overall, the 21-year-old caused the England defence all kinds of problems throughout the night, displaying the confidence of a player who has scored 18 times in her last 20 internationals for her country.