“Drilled to Perfection” – Hampton’s Sublime Pass Sets Lionesses on Their Way

England’s Hannah Hampton made a statement performance in the Lionesses’ 4-0 victory over the Netherlands at Euro 2025, showcasing her impressive passing ability and sharp vision. The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who played as a striker in her youth football days, was instrumental in kickstarting the attack for England’s first goal with a defence-splitting pass to Alessia Russo.

Hampton’s pass, described as “exquisite” and “perfection” by former England keeper Karen Bardsley and ex-Lionesses striker Ellen White, respectively, sliced through the entire Netherlands team, allowing Lauren James to drive upfield and score the opening goal. The Chelsea keeper’s performance was all the more impressive given that she had very few saves to make, instead impressing with the ball at her feet.

Hampton’s ability to play well with her feet has been a key factor in her success, and England boss Sarina Wiegman praised her distribution, saying, “The first task is to prevent goals but if you have a goalkeeper who plays well [with her feet], that’s an added value.” Hampton completed the most passes of any goalkeeper in the WSL last season (753), and her performance against the Netherlands has put some of the doubts over her ability to cope with the pressure of a major tournament to rest.

Hampton’s journey to becoming England’s number one goalkeeper began when she made the switch to being a goalkeeper aged 12 at Stoke City, after her family had returned to England from the Villarreal academy. She has come a long way since then, and her performance against the Netherlands has been hailed as “sensational” by former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis.

Hampton’s confidence is likely to have been boosted by her performance, and her teammates are already praising her ability. “She’s a brilliant passer,” said Lucy Bronze, Hampton’s Chelsea and England team-mate. “She’s really good with her feet, we know that, right and left. And today she got it right in the right moments.” Hampton’s performance has set England on their way to a successful title defence, and she looks set to be a key player in the Lionesses’ campaign.

The article highlights Hampton’s impressive passing ability, vision, and composure on the ball, which were instrumental in England’s dominant performance against the highly ranked Netherlands team. Hampton’s background as a former striker has clearly contributed to her exceptional technical skills, and her ability to execute a “defence-splitting pass” in a high-pressure situation has earned her praise from both former and current England players.

The piece also provides context on Hampton’s journey to becoming England’s number one goalkeeper, emphasizing her adaptability and development as a player. The fact that she was able to make such an impact in her first major tournament as a starter, despite the absence of the experienced Mary Earps, further underscores Hampton’s talent and mental fortitude.

Overall, the article paints a compelling portrait of a young goalkeeper who has emerged as a key asset for the Lionesses, and whose performance in the Euros opener has set the stage for a potentially dominant campaign in the tournament.