France also won the second game at the European Empire in Switzerland. The newly thrown eleven of the Grande Nation But not in all matters. For Wales, the last group game against England is actually only about the honor, the chances of progressing are only theoretical nature.
On Wednesday evening in St. Gallen on Wednesday evening, almost 16,000 spectators could not build on the good performance of the opening victory against England for a long time, after they had already been declared tournament favorites by various media and experts.
Clara Matéo (8th), Kadidiatou Diani (45.+1), Amel Majri (53.) and Grace Geyoro (63.) provided the team of Laurent Bonadéi. With the first European Championship goal for Wales’ national women, Jessica Fishlock brought in the history books of her country after 13 minutes.
“She is an icon. She did so much for the country. It is only right that she was”Esther Morgan was happy about the goal of teammate Fishlock. At the age of 38, the now not only the oldest field player is at this European Championship, but also the oldest goal scorer at a final round: “This in itself is incredible. She deserves it so much. I am very happy for her that she had this moment”Morgan continues.
While France in the last group game against the Netherlands (Sunday, 9 p.m. in the first and in the first and in the livestream) is enough to get ahead, for Wales the EM debut is not yet over, but the chances of a surprise and the move-in into the KO phase are hardly available after two games.
France with the early goal
Both trainers dwell their teams vigorously compared to the first group game. With France, only four players from 2-1 against England remained. Only goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, the defenders Selma Bacha and Alice Sombath as well as captain Grace Geyoro were allowed to start again from the start.
At Wales, Safia Middleton-Patel, who had made an autism disease almost two years ago, was allowed to start in goal. FFION also moved into the starting line -up.
France, which had previously won all four previous duels with Wales and had a goal difference of 12: 2, put pressure on the underdog from the kick -off. The French did a first offensive exclamation mark after almost seven minutes. A slightly deflected shot from Clara Matéo banged on the outer post.
But that delayed the French cheers only a few moments. At the following corner, Matéo showed why she was the most successful goal scorer in the past season in the French league. After an extension of the header, she was quick, accepted the ball with her upper body and pulled out volley from eight meters – 1-0.
France’s players cheer the 1-0.
Var lets Wales cheer twice
But Wales was not impressed and showed the weaknesses of the young defensive of “Les Bleues“In the 13th minute. The chain of four was covered with a long ball, after which four French women could not control two opponents and the ball, so Jessica Fishlock wrote sports history: from five meters she pressed the ball over the line with the first goal of the EM newcomer and thus caused the first goal of Wales’ women’s team at a European championship.
However, the jubilation was interrupted by the assistant by raising her flag. However, in the opinion of the pictures, the VAR said that everything was fine and so Wales was allowed to celebrate his anniversary tribal a second time – but this time correctly.
Historical hit: goal scorer Fishlock (left) and FFION Morgan celebrate the first goal in Welsh EM history.
France with luck from the point
In the final quarter of an hour of the first half, France increased the pressure again, but did not really get good deals. Again and again they tried it over the outer lanes because there was no way in the center. But the last passes were often too inaccurate or simply went into nothing.
But as against the Netherlands, Wales had to accept a goal shortly before the break whistle. After a foul by Ceri Holland on Matéo there was a penalty. Kadidiatou Diani competed and hit 2-1 with pretty luck. Middleton-Patel was no longer able to ward off her completely unplaced shot with his foot so that he turned into the goal.
Kadidiatou Diani meets a penalty.
Wales keeper with two unfortunate actions
Even in the second round it didn’t take long for France to cheer. After an error in the game structure of the Middleton-Patel, which was properly acting until then, the gate was empty, Amel Majri shot from 13 meters right into the corner (53.). The eleven of Bonadéi, who continues to see his team in the challenge and not in the favorite role, headed for the tenth victory in the tenth game in the calendar year 2025.
Wales did not give up and still had a good end to Ceri Holland, but was pre -passed on the long post. Overall, however, France had the game under control without acting with the very last conviction. Nevertheless, they were allowed to cheer the next time after 63 minutes. After a cross, Middleton-Patel picked up the ball at the five-meter room, Geyoro was right and pushing the ball over the line.
The big tremor was over with France, at Wales the strength was slowly fading and the players of trainer Rhian Wilkinson could hardly free themselves for the first half and actually only had a good chance. Josie Green came to the end after a corner, but every time her shooting attempt was blocked just before the line (83.).