Wales ended their historic first appearance at the Euro 2025 tournament with a painful 1-0 defeat against Netherlands, but Rhian Wilkinson’s side can hold their heads high as they make history.
Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th international goal to seal the win for Netherlands in the dying moments of stoppage time. The Manchester City striker’s perfectly calibrated shot curled into a top corner, leaving Wales’ goalkeeper Olivia Clark bewildered.
Wales, however, should be proud of their performance against one of Europe’s top teams. Despite conceding three soft goals and being saved by the woodwork several times, they showed great resilience and determination throughout the 90 minutes. Wilkinson praised her players for their efforts, saying “these women will turn this round”.
The defeat marked a significant milestone in Welsh football history, with Wales supporters witnessing their team dominate possession from start to finish. However, Miedema’s goal proved to be the decisive moment, leaving Wales’ hopes dashed.
Despite the disappointment, Wilkinson remains optimistic about her team’s chances. She acknowledged that the tournament would be tough but emphasized the importance of learning from this experience and improving for the next two games. With a new coach Arjan Veurink set to take over, Wilkinson is confident that her team will bounce back stronger than ever.
The Netherlands’ win marked a significant statement in Group D, with England and France also expected to dominate the group stage. However, Wales’ performance has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, and their fans can look forward to watching their team battle it out in the knockout phase.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/05/wales-netherlands-womens-euro-2025-match-report