Fishlock makes more Cymru history but France triumph in St Gallen

France 4-1 Cymru

• Jess Fishlock scores Cymru’s first goal at a women’s major tournament
• France score either side of half-time to take the game away from Rhian Wilkinson’s side
• Cymru take on England in their final group match on Sunday (8pm BST) in St. Gallen

Cymru’s hopes of reaching the UEFA EURO 2025 quarter-finals suffered a significant blow as they were beaten 4-1 by France in their second group match.

Jess Fishlock made history by scoring Cymru’s first ever goal at a women’s major tournament, but it was not enough to earn a result against a side who reached the semi-finals of this competition three years ago. 

Rhian Wilkinson made four changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Netherlands last Saturday, most notably handing only a fifth cap to 20-year-old goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel in place of Olivia Clark. Rachel Rowe, Ffion Morgan and Kayleigh Barton also came in for Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd and Hannah Cain.

France promised a fast start in St Gallen and they delivered just that, dominating the early exchanges and taking the lead after only eight minutes played when Clara Mateo volleyed home a loose ball in the box as Cymru could not clear Selma Bacha’s corner. 

But Cymru responded magnificently. They were level only five minutes after going behind when Gemma Evans superbly played Ceri Holland through down the left hand side, with the Liverpool forward squaring the ball to Jess Fishlock to poke home from close range. 

The celebrations were temporarily cut short as the offside flag was raised against Holland, but a VAR check permitted the goal to stand – sparking wild scenes of celebration on the Cymru bench and in the stands. A first ever goal at a women’s major tournament, while Fishlock became the oldest goalscorer in UEFA Women’s EURO history. 

France continued to threaten after the equaliser, yet they rarely troubled Middleton-Patel as Bacha and Kadidiatou Diani both sent efforts flying over the bar. 

But as was the case against Netherlands, Cymru conceded just before half-time to trail at the break. Mateo’s dangerous run into the box was halted by a trip from Holland, with Diani scoring the resulting penalty by slotting straight down the middle. Middleton-Patel, who had dived right, got a touch with her foot but could not keep it out. 

It felt like history was repeating itself again after the break, as France scored early in the second half to extend their lead. 53 minutes were on the clock when Mateo robbed Middleton-Patel of the ball in the box before cutting it back to Amel Majri to finish into an empty net. 

Les Bleues had a fourth goal shortly after the hour mark as Diani found space on the right of the box and crossed for captain Grace Geyoro to turn home. 

As if to display their prowess, France brought on a pair of superstars in Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore and Lyon’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto for the final 15 minutes – further indication of just how tough a draw Cymru have been handed at this tournament. 

Cymru made a significant substitution of their own in the closing stages as Sophie Ingle was introduced to a rousing reception from Y Wal Goch – spurred on by the departing Fishlock. The midfielder may have thought she would never make the Euros after suffering an ACL injury 10 months ago, but she came on to earn her 142nd cap and an appearance at a major tournament that she has worked so hard towards. 

The full-time whistle confirmed two defeats from two games for Cymru at EURO 2025, but the scenes at full-time – mutal appreciation between the team and the incredible Y Wal Goch – showed this is still a moment of immense pride for this group. More history has been written, more memories have been made and a generation continues to be inspired. 

Cymru will head back to St Gallen on Sunday for their final Group D fixture against England, but must win by four goals, while hoping that France are victorious over Netherlands, to reach the knockouts.