Jess Fishlock, the veteran midfielder and Wales' most capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, is urging her team to quickly put their 3-0 defeat against the Netherlands behind them as they continue their Euro 2025 campaign. Wales, making their debut in a major tournament, fell to the bottom of Group D after goals from Vivianne Miedema, Victoria Pelova, and Esmee Brugts on Saturday.
Despite the disappointing start, Fishlock remains confident that Wales can still achieve a top-two finish in their group, which would see them advance in the tournament. The team now faces a challenging match against France in St Gallen. France is coming off a 2-1 victory over England, adding further pressure on Wales.
Fishlock emphasized the importance of not dwelling on the loss and instead focusing on learning from the experience. She told BBC Sport Wales that the team needs to "take what we need to take from it, move forward and throw the rest in the bin". This mentality, she believes, is crucial for Wales to refocus and perform well in their upcoming matches.
Wales' journey to Euro 2025 has been historic, marking their first-ever qualification for a major women's tournament. Under manager Gemma Grainger, Wales reached the playoffs for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, but lost to Switzerland in extra time. Rhian Wilkinson took over as head coach for the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign. The team secured their place in the tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in December 2024.
The loss against the Netherlands was a tough lesson for Wales, exposing them to the high standards of play at the top level. Wales had a solid defensive showing in the first half, but Miedema's goal in stoppage time changed the game's dynamic. The Netherlands capitalized on this momentum, scoring two more goals early in the second half.
Despite the scoreline, there were positives for Wales to take from the match. Ceri Holland provided a threat on the counter-attack, and Lily Woodham had a good chance in the first half. However, they were unable to convert their opportunities.
Fishlock is the oldest player to appear at Women's EURO 2025 so far. She is also the second-oldest player to make their Women's EURO debut. Her experience and leadership will be vital as Wales look to bounce back from their opening defeat.
