By Hannah Chadwick (05/07/2025)
Above: Vivianne Miedema celebrates reaching 100 goals. Photo: Just Women’s Sports on X.
Wales 0 – 3 Netherlands
Team news and context:
Cymru are making their major tournament debut while the Netherlands are looking to add more silverware to their collection after winning the competition in 2017. Since the first meeting between the two sides, the Dutch have never conceded a goal to Cymru.
Chelsea superstar Sophie Ingle started on the bench following a return from the ACL injury left her sidelined for over a year; she is yet to have any game time. Oranje’ captain and record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema started, having been on a reduced amount of minutes since her hamstring injury and missing the final games of the WSL season for Man City.
Scorer: Miedema 45+3′, Pelova 48′, Brugts 57′
Highlights:
A well established Dutch side saw them press Cymru right from the whistle. The Welsh dealt with this press well for much of the first half, making a few chances of their own. However, Wales lacked the quality in the final pass, and a number of strong crosses were met with Oranje heads instead.
It was a struggle to spend time in the opposition box for both teams: the Dutch had most of the possession but struggled to connect in the attack while Cymru struggled to make good turnovers in the midfield. A moment of spark from Miedema saw the Oranje leading just before halftime, as her strong effort beat Olivia Clark. She is now the 10th female player and 13th overall to score 100 goals for the Netherlands. They then came out firing just after half with Van De Donk linking up with Pelova to score the second goal of the game.
After conceding the second, the Welsh defence that had held so strong began to crumble. There was a sublime goalline clearance from Woodham and the Dutch ended the game strongly.
There was also heartbreak for Cymru as Ceri Holland was withdrawn from the field after what looked like a hamstring injury. This was the result that the oranje needed after receiving heavy criticism from the Dutch media following the announced departure of head coach Andries Jonker and subsequent rocky performances.
Player of the match: Josie Green
Although on the losing side, Welsh midfielder Josie Green established herself as one to watch as Wales continue to navigate a difficult group.
Danielle van de Donk also needs highlighting; the new London City Lionesses recruit notched two assists and was invaluable for Oranje all over the pitch.
What next for the teams:
Cymru will continue to build – their main focus on being able to constantly hold a defensive line as the games only become more challenging. They also need to see more of the ball after only having 33% possession. The Netherlands have played their “easiest” game in the group as they face an England side with plenty to prove on Wednesday.
France 2-1 England
Team news and context:
Les Bleues were without new captian Mbock following an injury picked up in training. England started with Jess Carter at left back having had an impressive game. Lauren James returned to the squad after injury and Beth Mead comes in on the right wing. Overall the two teams have meet 21 times in different competitions and friendlies with France winning a 11 of these games.
Scorers: Katoto 36′, Baltimore 39′, Walsh 86′
Highlights:
The aim for England would have been to maintain a solid attacking performance which they did with Lauren James having a shot in target in the first few minutes and then Russo finiding the back of net in the first 15 minutes. The game shifted once this goal was controversially ruled out for Beth Mead being ruled offside in the build-up.
France picked up the momentum following the disallowed goal and made it 1-0 as Katoto pouncing on Cascarino’s cross. A shaken England side quickly conceded another as Baltimore intercepted a loose pass from Bronze – again with controversy as there looked to have been a foul on England’s Alessia Russo in the build-up.
Following substitutions, England began to get back into the game in its later stages. A lapse of concentrating from the France defense meant that Walsh recieved the ball just outside the box and struck it home for her second international goal.
Player of the match: Selma Bacha
The were mutliple player who fit this category: Williamson, Baltimore, Russo. However, France’s Selma Bacha was all over the pitch, defending and attacking. She was doing what was needed for France to win the game and bring success to the side. She was showing why she deserved to be in the squad and what she is capable of.
What next for the teams:
England need to explore more midfield options, every time they receive the ball they are being shutdown. This was their downfall in this match, they were unable to constantly play the ball through the midfield. Both Stanway and Walsh had quiet games.They also need to look at their defensive options as Carter and Bronze were constantly being out paced and struggled to match their opponents. France will be on a high going into their game against the Cymru having just beaten the current champions. England need to win against the Netherlands to have any of retaining their title.
Moment/player of the day
Vivianne Miedema’s 100th goal for country was a classic, featuring a strong shot from outside the box.
Group standings:
- Netherlands – 3pts – +3 GD
- France – 3pts – +1 GD
- England – 0pts – -1 GD
- Wales – 0pts – -3 GD
Find the rest of our Euros catch-ups here:
Group A Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/02/weuro-2025-group-a-gameday-1-review/
Group B Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/03/womens-euros-group-b-belgium-v-italy-spain-v-portugal/
Group C Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/04/womens-euros-group-c-sweden-v-denmark-germany-v-poland/
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