England’s crushing victory over Scotland was a record winning margin in a major tournament for the Lionesses and underlined their status as one of the teams tipped to win Euro 2017.
Six of the squad – Lucy Bronze, Toni Duggan, Jordan Nobbs, Jade Moore and Izzy Christiansen – won the Under-19 European Championship in 2009, with another – Demi Stokes – involved in the 2010 final when England were runners-up to France.
Four of the six – not including Christiansen and Stokes – won a bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup, while Manchester City players Bronze, Duggan, Christiansen and Stokes have also won the Women’s Super League, the FA Cup and the Continental Cup within the last year.
“At the younger age groups, we were successful,” 25-year-old defender Bronze, who was an unused substitute during England’s calamitous Euro 2013 campaign, told BBC Sport.
“We’re dying for success and a lot of the players have trophies and have played in big games to back that confidence.
“The older players have more to be confident about, I just don’t think they realise it.
“We’re maybe bringing that out in them and they are keeping our feet on the floor – so it’s a nice balance.”
Houghton, who was part of the squad in Euro 2013 and is a Manchester City team-mate of Bronze, added: “It’s great that the younger players are confident. Lucy’s a very confident person and you can see that in her performances.
“The more experienced players are confident, we just don’t show it as much. We’ve had experiences like Sweden four years ago which wasn’t very nice and, ultimately, one day can change the whole mood of a camp.
“It’s important we keep our foot on the gas and try to drive standards and performances.”