Miedema nets landmark goal as Wales lose Euro 2025 opener

Lucerne, Switzerland – The Netherlands kicked off their Euro 2025 campaign with a decisive 3-0 victory over tournament debutants Wales in Lucerne, a match highlighted by Vivianne Miedema’s historic 100th international goal. While the Dutch celebrated a strong start, it was a challenging introduction to major tournament football for Wales, who battled hard but ultimately succumbed to the experienced Oranje.

The opening exchanges saw the Netherlands assert their dominance, controlling possession and probing the Welsh defence with relentless pressure. Miedema, a constant threat throughout the first half, etched her name further into the history books midway through the period. She clinically slotted home from inside the box, reaching her century of international goals – a truly remarkable feat for one of the game's most prolific strikers. This landmark goal set the tone for the Dutch, who extended their lead before the break, capitalising on a defensive lapse to double their advantage. Despite moments of resilience and spirited defending from the Dragonesses, particularly from their captain and goalkeeper who made several crucial saves, the quality of the Dutch attack proved too much to contain. The second half saw the Netherlands add a third goal, effectively sealing the win and showcasing their credentials as a strong contender in the tournament.

For Wales, this opening fixture was a momentous occasion regardless of the result, marking their long-awaited debut on the grand stage of a major European Championship. Manager Gemma Grainger's side showed flashes of their potential, demonstrating the grit and determination that characterised their qualification journey. However, the step up in class was evident, with the pace, precision, and tactical discipline of the Netherlands serving as a stark reminder of the elite level of competition. While the 3-0 scoreline is a tough pill to swallow, the experience gained from facing a top-tier opponent like the Netherlands will be invaluable as they navigate their first major tournament. The focus now shifts to their upcoming group stage matches, where they will aim to learn from this encounter and demonstrate their true capabilities as they continue their historic Euro 2025 journey.