Beth Mead's Role at Euro 2025: A New Chapter for the England Forward
Three years ago, England forward Beth Mead was a standout star at Euro 2022, where she was named Player of the Tournament and won the Golden Boot. Her impressive performances included six goals and five assists, leading to numerous accolades such as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and runner-up positions in both the Ballon d'Or and UEFA Player of the Year Awards.
However, at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, the 30-year-old Mead has experienced a shift in her role. She has started only one of England's four matches, scoring a goal in their 6-1 victory over Wales in Group D. Mead has embraced a new role as one of Sarina Wiegman's 'finishers,' a term used by the team to highlight the importance of substitutes.
"You have to be ready to seize the moment," Mead, who plays for Arsenal, told BBC Sport. "You might find yourself in a position you don't usually play, as I did against Sweden, where I switched between midfield roles as a number six and a number ten. I loved the challenge of adapting on the field."
Mead emphasized the need to expect the unexpected and to contribute to the team's success, saying, "It's about doing what you need to for the greater good of the team."
England's substitutes have been pivotal in Switzerland, scoring three goals on their way to the semi-finals. Since Euro 2022, substitutes have scored four crucial goals in knockout games, more than any other nation. Mead and her teammates are key to maintaining this squad depth for Wiegman.
"It's challenging when you're not starting, especially when you're performing well," Mead added. "But our togetherness and willingness to improve each other set us apart. My role has evolved from being a starter to being competitive in training, and that's crucial for our success. So far, we've done a great job."
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